University of Tampa Ferman Center for the Arts Engineering Design

Project Overview

The University of Tampa’s Ferman Center for the Arts is a 90,000 SF, four-story facility designed to support fine and performing arts education. BSA provided engineering services for the center, delivering building systems that balance performance functionality, acoustical needs, and sustainable design goals. The facility achieved LEED Silver certification in 2022.

Facility Features

The Ferman Center houses a wide range of spaces, including:

• A 200-seat acoustically tuned theater
• Black box theater and performance studios
• Sound-insulated recording studios
• Art gallery and additional gallery space
• Wood and welding shops, sculpture and painting studios, and a spray paint room
• Classrooms, study spaces, and faculty offices

Engineering Design Scope

The engineering design scope for the project covered all major building systems, with a strong emphasis on efficiency, reliability, and safety.

• Mechanical systems include central station chilled-water air handling units with VAV boxes and a central energy recovery ventilator (ERV) feeding each main air handler for greater efficiency.
• Mini-split systems serve IT rooms, while a fully ducted distribution system with direct digital controls (DDC) maximizes energy savings.
• Electrical systems feature efficient interior and exterior lighting with advanced controls, new switchboards, and backup power generation.
• Lightning protection and alarm systems safeguard the facility.
• Plumbing provides reliable water distribution with booster pumps, as well as sanitary sewerage, storm drainage, and natural gas piping.
• Electric domestic water heaters ensure consistent service.
• Fire protection includes wet-pipe sprinkler systems throughout the building, supported by a fire pump for dependable life safety coverage.

Sustainable Design

BSA’s engineering design supports the building’s LEED certification requirements. Features include indoor air quality monitoring, building-level energy metering, and energy-efficient system integration, all aligned with the university’s sustainability goals.

Impact

The Ferman Center for the Arts provides the University of Tampa with a modern, flexible facility where students can create, perform, and learn. Through innovative engineering design, BSA delivered reliable, efficient, and sustainable systems that will serve the campus for decades to come.

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