Sitka High School Performing Arts Center

RSA provided mechanical and electrical design services for a new 35,000 square feet performing arts facility. The auditorium will be used for band, choir, and orchestra performances, drama and musical theater productions, as well as school and community assemblies, graduations, and meetings.

The mechanical systems include heating and ventilation, as well as the addition of an electric boiler. The boiler was given to the school by the power plant and allowed for the performing arts center to utilize excess power and heat. The power plant controlled the load shedding.  

The electrical systems included energy efficient “front-of-house” lighting and high performance stage lighting, a full theatrical dimming system and low voltage lighting control panel, a new emergency generator, Category 6 telecommunications system, infrastructure for a proximity card access system, extension to the existing master clock and intercom system and a new voice-evacuation fire alarm system. The electrical design also included: electrical distribution gear for a dual-fuel boiler system to allow the performing arts center and the school to run on an electric boiler when hydro levels from the electrical utility are high.

• Categories: Commercial
• Client: City and Borough of Sitka
• Architect: BDS Architects
• Location: Sitka, Alaska