Creating a Live Music Space

by Marcy Marro | December 2, 2019 12:00 am

“The project was in the works for about three years,” says Jones. “It began as a partnership between Life is Brewing and Middle Tennessee StateUniversity[1] [in Murfreesboro]. We saw an opportunity to work with students graduating from MTSU’s Fermentation Science program, and it took off from there. The Hop Springs Beer Park has since evolved into an all-encompassing entertainment and lifestyle space for the entire Rutherford County community.”

The Steel Barrel Brewery[2] was the first project on tap: A 22,000-square-foot metal building equipped with a dining and entertainment area as well as a beer production space. A key consideration for Jones included the acoustics of the entertainment space. “We collaborated with engineers from MTSU to design the preeminent live entertainment space in the county, which included the erection of 7-inch-thick sound-absorbing walls.”

Jones also knew that, in order to build an outstanding live music space, the insulation system selected would be paramount; that’s when he called on Eddie Read, district manager of North Olmsted, Ohio-based Therm-All Inc.[3] “Metal buildings often pose acoustical challenges due to sound reverberation from exposed purlins,” says Read. “We knew we needed a top-tier insulation system that would mitigate noise reverberation while enhancing the sound of the live performers.”

The ProLiner Banded Liner System[4], which consists of two layers of unfaced fiberglass, and a fabric vapor retarder and steel banding which completely cover the purlins, was chosen for the job. The system is offered in both white and black, the latter of which was used for the Steel Barrel Brewery entertainment space. “When you think of a music venue, you think of a dark ceiling, because the emphasis is on the stage; not only did the black vapor retarder deliver the aesthetics we wanted, but it also saved us on painting costs and helped keep the project on budget,” says Read.

Read also recommended the ProLiner Banded Liner System for its ability to meet governing energy codes. “We exceeded the requirements of the IECC 2012 Code and the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Standard,” he says.

The brewery’s beer production area had its own set of unique requirements. The space includes both a brewery and a laboratory where students of MTSU’s Science Fermentation program take part in hands-on learning, including sensory analysis work and analytical testing. Read recommended a double-layer Sag and Bag system with a white vapor retarder for the job. “The specifications of the production and laboratory space were very different from those of the entertainment and dining space,” says Read. “We needed a bright interior environment, so we opted for a vapor retarder with a reflective white finish.”

“This was a unique metal building project with very specific requirements,” says Read. “The taproom hosts talented musicians from all over the U.S. each week, and the laboratory serves as ground zero for students to learn the science and the art of creating fine ales. It was no easy feat, but with the right team and the right components, the job was completed on time and on budget.”

“We sought out to create a top-quality live entertainment and recording experience, as well as a space for education and engagement, all while giving back to our community,” says Jones. “Steel Barrel Brewery is now positioned to do just that.”

---

Bridget Jammoul is the marketing specialist at Therm-All Inc., North Olmsted, Ohio. For more information, visit www.therm-all.com[5].

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/creating-a-live-music-space/

---