The Wolfe Center for the Collaborative Arts at Bowling Green State University rises from the ground at a dramatic six-degree angle inspired by northwest Ohio’s glacial history.

The metallic-siding and glass performing arts building is designed to provide students with the best possible education in the performing arts as well as host Broadway-quality productions for the community.

The state-of-the-art main theater was built on an intimate scale. The building also houses an 8,000-square-foot orchestra pit, actors’ theater, rehearsal rooms, scene and costume shops, 12 classrooms and performance spaces.

Rudolph Libbe Inc.’s Virtual Design and Construction team designed the siding, windows, lighting and the monumental staircase on unique angles.

Additional project elements include:  

  • Twenty feet of bedrock just a few feet below the surface which needed to be removed before foundations could be placed for the orchestra pit.
  • Carefully planned coordination of more than half a million lineal feet of electrical wire and cabling for sound and data, with large HVAC ductwork.
  • Windows and skylights optimize natural light.

Rudolph Libbe Inc. was awarded a BUILD OHIO Award for this project, recognizing the complexity of this state-of-the-art facility.

We were very happy with the service level and quality. We sincerely appreciate the job that your entire staff did on this project. Everyone worked closely with the University staff, and pushed the project to a successful completion. It was certainly a positive experience, which we needed and recognized. Thank you very much.

Bob Waddle, Asst. Vice President for Capital Planning
Bowling Green State University

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