VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
Huntsville, AL
Category: 2022 Hospitality/Public Space, Unique Installation Challenge
Designer: Matheny Goldman Architecture + Interiors
Starnet Member:
Commercial Flooring Services, Inc. (Alabama)
Starnet Preferred Vendors:
ARDEX, MAPEI, Milliken Commercial, Pacific Data Solutions
Project Strategy
The Von Braun Center (VBC) Mark C. Smith Concert Hall is a performing arts venue with seating for 1,955. You can experience everything from Broadway and ballet to symphonies and concerts within this space. The theatre is also used for conferences and seminars. After 20 years of foot traffic, the grand stairway and portal stairs were in desperate need of replacement. Working alongside Matheny Goldman’s interiors team, we were able to find a solution that worked best for the VBC. Milliken Formwork Broadloom with its broad range of colors provided an option that seamlessly blended with the existing design. New life has been brought back to the space with this challenging installation, and once again the patron’s center of attention can be placed on the polished stainless steel handrails.
Unique Installation Challenge Strategy
Achieving the appearance of a seamless installation upon the grand staircase at the VBC was a unique and challenging installation. Working with the curvature of the staircase to form the carpet to each distinctive step while accounting for inside and outside radiuses and a fixed position handrail was a tedious and time-consuming process. Every step had a slightly different curve, eliminating the possibility of creating a template, requiring each step to be installed individually. Creating the seamless installation was possible by overlapping and double cutting along the radius in approximately three foot increments. This was all accomplished during one to three day gaps in the event schedule.
