The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago, IL
Although over 100 years old, The Museum of Science and Industry is continuously reinventing itself. McGuire Engineers (MEPC) was retained to design a highly efficient central cooling plant and ventilation system that would preserve the integrity of the museum for years to come. The age, structure and daily function of the building made the design of a new central plant particularly daunting. However, careful planning and analysis were key to building a complex but elegant system that can cool a historic structure like the Museum of Science and Industry.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Central Plant Renovation
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS
- Conducted studies and design schemes that included a whole building energy simulation payback analysis.
- Used building information modeling (BIM) software to create a three dimensional layout of the mechanical room which allowed for fewer unforeseen costs that are typical for museum projects and helped maintain the project’s schedule.
- Heavy involvement from museum staff which focused the project in a way that a design-build or a typical plan and specification process could not do.
- The new central plant cools the existing load, is being installed in phases, and is energy efficient.
