Sustainable Highlights
Thomas Jester, AIA, project manager for Quinn Evans Architects, notes the addition of the new entry pavilion and the view window offered a number of sustainable benefits, as well. “Natural daylight now permeates the building, including the lower-level lobby,” Jester says. “The result is more appealing to visitors and staff.” LED lamps were also incorporated in the lighting throughout the building as an energy-saving measure.
Connecting the museum to the park’s central chilled water plant has significantly reduced energy used for cooling the building. These improvements, along with the installation of water-conserving fixtures and the use of recycled and low-VOC material, helped the renovation project meet the Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings. The project was also cited as a case study in the NPS 2013 Annual Environmental Progress Report.
A Fitting Tribute
In addition to the entry pavilion, interior improvements include a new stair leading from the court level to the underground galleries. Cast in-place concrete elements express, for the first time, the predominately concrete underground structure. The new exhibits enable visitors to flow freely throughout the museum, exploring “virtual rooms” from Franklin’s house depicting themes that present the patriot’s character, personality, interests, intellect and accomplishments. Each “room” contains historic objects, documents, and a variety of audiovisual and interactive displays.
A dedicated exit stair has also been added with a new museum shop adjacent to the exit stair at the court level. As visitors make their last turn on the stair, they see the dramatic image of the ghost house framed through the view window, reorienting them to Franklin Court.
“The exhibits are a refreshing response to Franklin Court, offering an intriguing interpretation of Franklin’s house, including his library,” Elefante says. “CassonMann has created a fitting, permanent home for Remer & Talbott’s exhibit, and NPS has ensured the entire visitor experience is inspiring and educational.”
“We intentionally created this museum to generate discussion,” said Cynthia MacLeod, superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, at the museum’s reopening. “We wanted to make visitors think about how Franklin embodied the best of the spirit of the 18th century and how his character and ideas are still relevant today.”
Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown participated in early meetings and workshop sessions to offer insight and suggestions to NPS and the design team. “We were challenged by Robert and Denise to embrace ‘the entourage’ of Franklin Court and design new elements to contribute to this unique place,” Elefante notes. “Their design for the Bicentennial created one of the city’s most cherished places. We believed it was vital to celebrate this civic landmark while also creating a new museum experience to honor Franklin.”
PHOTOS: Joseph M. Kitchen Photography
Materials
VIEW-WINDOW LAMINATED GLASS: Saint-Gobain Glass
FOUR-SIDED STRUCTURAL GLAZED CURTAINWALL SYSTEM: EFCO Corp.
INTERIOR BRONZE GLASS WITH ORGANIC DENSITY FRIT: Goldray Industries
TERRA-COTTA-COLORED FRIT: Saint-Gobain Glass
STORE LEDS: LumeLEX from Lighting Services Inc.
LOBBY LEDS: Architectural Lighting Works
CANOPY LEDS: Winona
WATER-CONSERVING FIXTURES: American Standard and Sloan Valve Co.