Architectural students get a boost with new MBMA Folio, Davidson Center for Space Exploration

The new Davidson Center folio was created in coordination with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Gresham Smith.

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, Alabama, which holds an authentic Saturn V rocket. The folio, along with all the MBMA student resources, is available at https://www.mbmaeducation.org/resources/ and on the MBMA website, MBMA.com. 

“The Davidson Center folio, our 12th 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.”

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 75,932 square-foot metal building that holds 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 that illustrate 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, Texas; the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts; the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex in Los Angeles, California; the Haulover Marine Center in North Miami Beach, Florida; the Jacksonville University Basketball Performance Center in Jacksonville, Florida; the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, Ohio; the Firehouse Ministries Shelter in Birmingham, Alabama; the St. David’s Performance Center in Austin, Texas; the Milne Center for Ocean Science and Conservation in Mystic, Connecticut; the KIPP Texas Somos Campus and the Hardesty Center for Dance Education in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

About MBMA

Founded in 1956, MBMA serves manufacturers and suppliers that work with industry professionals, architects, building designers, educators, building code officials and others to advance the metal building systems industry. The efforts of member volunteers and association staff regularly lead to industry improvements and groundbreaking research. Resources at MBMA.com include technical materials, research reports, videos and design guides. The MBMA News provides the most current research and new ideas to propel the industry. MBMA also provides graduate and undergraduate educational resources at MBMAeducation.org.