Design of library and museum building systems must focus on the performance and control of HVAC systems to provide for: minimizing the absolute changes in temperature and humidity to extend the lifetime of book bindings, stringent control of archival storage where applicable, and specifically designed fire protection systems.
Manheim Township Public Library
Lancaster County, PA
Recognizing that the design of library building systems must focus on the performance and control of HVAC systems, G&H provided for minimizing the absolute changes in temperature and humidity to extend the lifetime of book bindings. Additionally, fire protection systems are specifically design for libraries.
The building heating and cooling is provided by a geothermal heat pump system, 450-foot-deep wells drilled into the limestone bedrock resulting in reduced energy consumption. The library environment is enhanced by sound attenuation and fresh air energy recovery with humidity and temperature control, and managed through a direct digital ATC system.
The building includes natural lighting, energy efficient lighting and controls, and low-flow, high efficiency plumbing fixtures to further conserve energy and water consumption. Additional amenities include wireless internet access, video display, fire protection, and services in support of the building’s café, kitchen and program center. This sustainable design, one-and-a-half story, 33,500 sq. ft. state-of-the art community library incorporates high energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems, designed to meet LEED Silver standards.
Lincoln University — Langston Hughes Memorial Library
Lincoln University, PA
GRA* provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering planning and design for the University’s Langston Hughes Memorial Library. This historical significant facility houses more than 72,000 volumes, subscribes to 600 periodicals, and maintains a special collection of African American and African materials. This project was featured as an “Outstanding Project” in the 2011 issue of Library by Design.
Proceeding in two phases, the first phase focused on the interior HVAC, electrical and ADA barrier-free building upgrades and improvements to the main floor circulation, special collections and reference desks. Phase II included the following services:
- New, critical HVAC/air distribution/circulation system
- Data/telecom system
- Fire Protection/Sprinkler System
- Upgrading Center Elevator
- Upgraded Electrical Distribution Center
In Phase II, existing masonry on one side of the Library was replaced with a new glass curtain wall. A pedestrian bridge to the library was implemented that let natural light into the space, creating a visual relationship with the modern campus center. To create a modern and expansive computer technology and ideas environment, additional space was obtained in the basement with the addition of classrooms and workstations. Additional shelving was included to support the addition of grass-roots reader spaces not afforded by considering book stacks. The firm has provided planning and design services to Lincoln University on a continuous basis since 2004.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Recognized as one of the preeminent law libraries in the world, the Biddle Law Library at the University of Pennsylvania supports the research needs of the Law School faculty, students and members of the legal community. The design included relocation of the Law School’s collection of 900,000 volumes and incorporated custom-design of shelving and millwork, and provided a sprinkler system to meet insurance standards.
Additional projects at the University of Pennsylvania:
- New Library and Archival Storage for the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing
- Penn Library Renovations
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, PA
G&H is providing MEP/FP and energy engineering planning and design services for the construction of the 16,500 sq. ft. Round House at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. The structure is similar to that used historically in rail yards to house repair operations for steam and diesel locomotives.
The building is actually a segment of a roundhouse that will be constructed around an historic turntable at the rear of the museum site. The new building will house approximately 1/4 rotation of the train in the Museum’s collection along with a transfer table and new exhibit and education facilities.
Although LEED certification is not required, G&H is providing a comprehensive design and resource conservation plan that follows the intent of the LEED program to achieve sustainability. Since energy conservation is a high priority, the HVAC systems are geothermal heat-exchange based systems, with a separate utility service and dedicated fire protection. The design also includes energy efficient lighting, electrical and plumbing for visitor restrooms, and an extension of the site’s fire and security detection system.
The Academy of Natural Sciences
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s recently redeveloped natural history museum and research center includes a collection of more than 17 million biological specimens and is a recognized leader in biodiversity and environmental research.
GRA’s work at the Academy
- New 200,000 sq. ft. addition into library/archival storage
- Mechanical and electrical systems upgrades
- Fire protection, ventilation, and HVAC systems design for conditioning system for Research Collections, Education Collections, and archival storage repair to PMHC Collections 1, 2 and 3
- Fire suppression system for vertical storage system
- New Academy of Natural Sciences Exhibit Gallery
Projects were specialized in distribution systems to achieve museum-quality temperature and humidity control: chilled water system, low pressure steam system and fire detection and fire call out system; analysis of building codes to determine and establish room hazard requirements for new fire protection system.
Old Economy Village Visitor and Education Center
Ambridge, PA
Old Economy Village provides a venue for the interpretation of the Harmony Society, a highly successful 19th century religious communal society, and preserves its legacy through education and the site’s collection during its period of residence in Beaver County, PA. The 22,000 sq. ft., energy-efficient building utilizing geothermal heating systems and designed as a replacement for the site’s older visitor facility. It includes indoor exhibition areas and a visitor orientation theater.
This sustainable design is a high energy-efficient building that includes mechanical and electrical systems heat recovery system and environmental controls. A specialty-designed system has also been developed for air collection and filtration.
Relevant features:
- HVAC System designed to Artifact Standards: PMHC Category 1 environmental humidity/temperature control
- Humidity engineered construction
- Independent BMS, BACnet, and Compliant Digital Controls System
- Controls that exceed BMS/Accessible Controls Standards (HVAC)
The new building includes: education rooms, orientation theater and changing exhibit spaces, research library/archives, museum store and staff offices, artifact storage/rare processing laboratories.
Additional Representative Projects:
Libraries
- Academy of Natural Sciences
- Bloomsburg University Andruss Library
- Chester County Library
- Delaware County Library System
- Episcopal Academy
- Indian Valley Public Library
- Naval Air Development Center – Warminster
- Naval Air Warfare Center – Warminster
- New Jersey State Library
- Philadelphia Public Library
- Reading Area Community College
- Reading Public Library
- Temple University
- University of Delaware – Newark
- University of Pennsylvania – Biddle Law Library
- University of the Sciences
- Widener University – Wolfgram Memorial Library
- Philadelphia Free Library – Paschal
- Phoenixville Public Library
- Radnor Memorial Library
- Rowan University
- Temple University
- Springfield School District
- Lincoln University
- Thomas Jefferson University Scott Memorial Library
- Upper Dublin Township Library
- Upper Merion Township Library
- University of the Arts – Greenfield Library
- Widener University Widener Library
Museums
- American Swedish Historical Museum
- Carpenters Hall Museum
- Crayola Factory Museum
- Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
- Hagley Museum
- Independence Seaport Museum
- Mercer Museum/Bucks County Historical Society
- National Constitution Center
- National Civil War Museum
- National Toy Train Museum
- University of Pennsylvania – Fine Arts Exhibit
- University of Pennsylvania – Institute of Contemporary Art
- University of Pennsylvania – Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
- University of Pennsylvania – Center for the Study of Black History
- University of Pennsylvania – Graduate School of Archaeology