ALPOLIC Panels Used In Unique Architecture And Design Student Project

Designed, fabricated, and installed by a student team at Virginia Tech, the Masonic Amphitheater in Clifton Forge, Virginia, provides a public park and performance space for the rural Appalachian community. Completed in June, the project was funded by a cash grant from The Alleghany Foundation as well as material and service contributions from both local and national contractors, suppliers, and product manufacturers.

Organized by design/buildLAB, a third year architecture studio at Virginia Tech, 16 undergraduate students were asked to work with the community to plan and submit individual design proposals. Once received, a master plan was then devised as a convergence of each student’s proposition. As a result, the driving idea behind the finalized design became an emerging sculptural form that would mimic the surrounding landscape.

Now complete, the amphitheater features a main stage with acoustic shell, a backstage with loading dock, green room and wings, a sound and lighting control booth, and a benched seating area for an audience of 200. For the interior, ALPOLIC/fr panels in four attractive finishes were CNC-routed to clad the underside of the structure.

When asked why ALPOLIC, designers at design/buildLAB explained that in addition to functioning as traditional cladding, ALPOLIC’s smoothness and ability to fully adhere to a solid backing allowed the material to double as an acoustic reflector. Additionally, ALPOLIC’s long-term durability was cited as a solution to constant exposure to climate conditions and abrasion from the movement of heavy equipment.

Altogether, the Masonic Amphitheater was completed in 4 months and thus successfully achieved the set schedule of one academic year.

photos © Mark Rhodes for Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America and design/buildLAB

information © design/buildLAB

ALPOLIC Products Used: