Clients:
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
1 Intrepid Square, 12th Avenue and 46th Street
New York, NY 10036Construction Cost:
$3.7 Million
In the summer of 2012 the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum obtained the Space Shuttle Enterprise as part of its permanent exhibit. Although it never flew in space, Enterprise played an important role as the first space shuttle prototype built in 1976. The Space Shuttle Pavilion sits atop the flight deck of the Intrepid where it allows guests to gain a great perspective and appreciation for the craft.
Collado Engineering provided the HVAC, electrical and fire alarm system design for the Pavilion. The volume of the Pavilion, which is 65 feet high, presented a challenge to maintain comfort cooling and heating at the occupied portion of the facility. The exhibits surround the Pavilion perimeter, providing the guests with striking images, descriptive texts, and video experiences which document the exploits of the space shuttle as an experimental space plane and ship. The electrical design was meticulously coordinated with the flexible lighting designed to accommodate the daily exhibit space requirements, the educational requirements for visiting groups, and the evening events and functions.
The unique challenges presented by a floating Museum in New York City stretched the ingenuity of engineers. The application of NYC Building Codes to a vessel has presented challenges in the Space Shuttle Enterprise project as well as in the various fire protection projects undertaken both on board the Intrepid and on the Pier.