Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music
Just like the rock music that catapulted him to iconic status, the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music humbly evokes the seasoned textures and gritty atmosphere of the Jersey Shore, where he honed his craft in the late 1960s and early ‘70s.
Located on the campus of Monmouth University, the two-story building uses weathered steel cladding, exposed mass timber, and a meadow-like setting to ground its mission: to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and other American musicians.
DeSimone provided structural engineering, building envelope consulting, and coordinated detailing services to ensure alignment across disciplines. This integrated approach allowed the team to preserve aesthetic intent while achieving performance and constructability goals.
| Client | Monmouth University |
|---|---|
| Architect: | COOKFOX |
| Size | 2 Stories | 25,400 SF | 2,360 SM |
| Sustainability | Targeting LEED Gold; mass timber structure for reduced embodied carbon |
| Office: | New York |
| Completion: | 2026 |
A key structural challenge involved the double-height theater space, which required a 70-foot long, column-free span. We developed a shallow composite system using metal deck and steel to deliver a minimal-depth solution that met acoustic and visual requirements. Meanwhile, a perimeter system of concrete masonry units and steel provided the necessary fire separation while enabling the interior to remain primarily mass timber—significantly reducing embodied carbon.
In addition to the 250-seat, Dolby-equipped theater, the Center include archival storage, rotating exhibitions, and public gathering areas—all designed to support cultural storytelling and community engagement through music.
