Opened in 1890 with 90 students, Belmont University currently serves approximately 10,000 students. This private university retains a 12-to-one student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 160 academic programs, including many in music, performing arts and related fields. The Fisher Center for Performing Arts and the Curb Event Center’s Vince Gill Room are two facilities offering educational and entertainment options for students.
The Fisher Center for Performing Arts
Opened in September 2021, the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts’ design by Earl Swensson Associates (ESa) showcases a composition of rectilinear and arched-top Tubelite aluminum-framed products to communicate the desired classical architectural style depicted on many of Belmont University’s significant structures. Alexander Metals installed Tubelite T14000 Series Storefront and 400 Series Curtainwall 8-inch-systems, plus 4.5-inch-deep 200 Series Curtainwall and wide stile doors.
The storefront and curtainwall were customized to meet the Fisher Center’s acoustic requirements. Tubelite’s high-performance systems also contributed to the project’s interior comfort and the building envelope’s energy efficiency – attributes in achieving the building’s LEED certification.
“This project is the biggest deal that I’ve ever been involved on,” said David Minnigan, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, who was a principal at ESa before joining in 2023 Belmont University as its architect in residence. He called Fisher Center “a crowning jewel” of the campus and “something only a university with vision, like Belmont University has, can do.”
Named for former Belmont University president, Bob Fisher, the 155,000-square-foot Center hosts a 1,700-seat main auditorium, two contiguous recital halls, a grand lobby, and back-of-house areas including dressing rooms and rehearsal space. The entire interior space can be combined into a 900-seat banquet hall for special events.
From the outside, the building’s distinguished façade and expansive openings offer students and visitors a peek inside. The European-inspired grand lobby and recital halls display blue walls, hard wood and stone floors, and domed high ceilings. During the day, the interiors are illuminated with natural light thanks to Tubelite’s systems.
The Fisher Center’s architectural aluminum framing systems are finished to match the defining blue color and natural material palette. Tubelite’s 4.5-inch curtainwall and wide stile doors were custom-finished by Linetec using a durable mica coating in a Driftwood color. Linetec also provided Tubelite systems’ thermal improvement and stretch forming.
The project’s design and construction earned numerous accolades, including being selected as an Engineer News Record (ENR) national 2022 Best of the Best Projects of the Year award in the higher education/research category, an ENR Southeast’s 2022 Best Project in the higher education/research category and an ENR Southeast 2022 Project of the Year Finalist.
According to ENR Southeast: “Belmont University set out to create the finest performing arts center on any college campus, specifically designed to host a wide variety of events from theatre and opera to acoustic and amplified performances. …It was completed in four years and five days, a feat achieved with construction and design teams working hand-in-hand to mesh constructability with aesthetics. That includes combining Building Information Modeling (BIM) to work through complex coordination issues.”
In ENR’s award overview, one judge also commented, “It’s just so well executed, it’s unbelievable.” R.C. Mathews Contractor’s project manager, Scott Morgan, also is quoted as saying, “You could almost call it a once-in-a-lifetime project, it’s so unique. It’s almost like a musical instrument.” He also credited the long relationship with the University and ESa, and collaborative project team, adding, “They all work together so well, creating an atmosphere where if there’s a problem, everyone is comfortable with each other and can put their heads together for a resolution. …That really is what makes a project like that so fun to be on. You’re motivated to come work on it, and everybody wanting to go above and beyond, putting in 110%.”
Along with the prestigious ENR award, the project also earned a 2023 Traditional Building’s Palladio Award for new design and construction in the more than 30,000-square-foot category, a 2022 American School & University special citation, and an Associated Building and Contractors (ABC) national 2022 Pyramid Award and an ABC Greater Tennessee 2022 Excellence in Construction Award in the mega-project $100-160 million category.
The Curb Event Center’s Vince Gill Room
Opened in 2023,the Vince Gill Room features a roof plaza, box seats and Tubelite window wall and entrance systems. It is nestled within the new Curb Event Center’s entertainment and athletic complex.
Offering daylight, comfort and style, Alexander Metals installed Tubelite 900RW Series Therml=Block® Ribbon Window and wide stile doors in the Vince Gill Room. The 4.5-inch, thermally broken, aluminum-framed window wall delivers energy-efficient and condensation-resistant performance using multiple thermal barriers, while providing structural integrity and aesthetic flexibility. Enhancing the unified look with lasting durability, Linetec finished Tubelite framing systems using a 70% PVDF resin-based architectural coating in a custom Pebble color.
Tubelite’s products and Linetec’s finishing meet the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance’s AAMA industry-leading performance standards. In addition, Tubelite Therml=Block systems are tested and modeled for thermal transmittance per the National Fenestration Rating Council’s procedures.
Along with the high performance of its building envelope, the Curb Event Center’s interior offers a 5,000-seat live performance space. It is connected to the student life center by way of the grand atrium to form a single structure. Opening the south side of the campus, the building follows the curving edge of the boulevard and complements adjacent community businesses.
Join on us on our next tour stop as we visit a few of Belmont University’s fitness, health and wellness facilities.