MBMA Student Portfolio Blasts Off with Davidson Center for Space Exploration

by tristan_marks | May 5, 2025 11:37 am

The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has published Davidson Center for Space Exploration as part of its Architectural Significance in Metal Buildings series. This 18-page folio adds to MBMA’s library of free, downloadable resources for architectural students and their professors. It explores the design and construction of the largest building at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) campus in Huntsville, Ala., which holds an authentic Saturn V rocket. The folio is available alongside other MBMA student resources[1] on the MBMA website[2].

“The Davidson Center folio, our 12^th publication in the series, showcases an amazing metal building as well as a fascinating piece of our space exploration history,” says Tony Bouquot, MBMA general manager. “The new report explores the facility design, explains the project priorities and design goals, and describes the many-faceted building process through the eyes of the design and construction team. These folios are a vital tool for architectural educators and students and are helping to familiarize more architects and designers with the industry.”

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MBMA created the Davidson Center folio in coordination with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Gresham Smith. It includes:

• Exclusive interviews with Scott Spearing, assistant vice president for projects and infrastructure at the USSRC, and multiple members of the design and restoration teams.
• Project design insights for the 7054-m² (75,932-sf) metal building housing the Saturn V rocket and Apollo 16 capsule, offices, an entry lobby and ticketing area, concessions and restrooms, a theater for movies and presentations, and a commercial kitchen.
• Objectives and goals for the project, including a large clearspan with precisely engineered beams and structural members to accommodate the rocket’s weight and size, while minimizing building movement.
• Abundant photos, drawings and graphics illustrating phases/elements of the building process.

In addition to this folio, the complete Architectural Significance in Metal Buildings portfolio consists of: Alamo Beer Company in San Antonio, Tex.; the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Mass.; the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex in Los Angeles, Calif.; the Haulover Marine Center in North Miami Beach, Fla.; the Jacksonville University Basketball Performance Center in Jacksonville, Fla.; the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, Ohio; the Firehouse Ministries Shelter in Birmingham, Ala.; the St. David’s Performance Center in Austin, Tex.; the Milne Center for Ocean Science and Conservation in Mystic, Conn.; the KIPP Texas Somos Campus, and the Hardesty Center for Dance Education in Tulsa, Okla.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/daily-news/mbma-davidson-center/

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