Kohler Ronan, Consulting Engineers - Brochure: Statue of Liberty Museum

STATUE OF LIBERTY NEW MUSEUM

STATUE OF LIBERTY NEW MUSEUM In an effort to accommodate the growing number of visitors to the Statue of Liberty and to make the site accessible to as many people as possible, the National Park Service, together with the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, has constructed a new 26,000 squarefoot Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island. Kohler Ronan is proud to have contributed comprehensive mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection services in support of this new facility, located on one of the nation's most historic sites.

Kohler Ronan considered several critical factors when designing MEP/FP systems for the new museum. As Liberty Island was flooded during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, new systems needed to withstand future flooding, as well as comply with new FEMA flood levels established after Sandy. To this end, the design team elevated the museum a total of 19 feet; that is six feet above the new flood level. All MEP/FP equipment was located above this level, thereby ensuring that systems would not be affected by severe weather. Grade mounted, medium voltage transformers designed to withstand submersion under water without interruption in operation were specified.

As the project's architect, FXCollaborative designed exposed ceilings in the main exhibit galleries. This required careful coordination on the part of Kohler Ronan with the entire design team to ensure that MEP/FP distribution at the ceiling level followed a cohesive pathway and would not detract from the visual impact of the galleries. Utilizing Revit, every section of ductwork, piping, and electrical conduit was coordinated and detailed in the building model.

The team designated zones at the ceiling level where MEP/FP distribution could occur. The result was a seamless integration of architecture, structural, and MEP/FP elements.

Inside the space, thoughtfully designed interactive exhibits and iconic artifacts, including Lady Liberty’s original torch, engage the visitor and provide an immersive experience depicting the history and significance of the monument. Three immersive theaters display content utilizing multiple projectors and multiple screens, the largest of which is 18 feet tall by 40 feet wide.

Adjacent to the original torch exhibit, interactive kiosks invite visitors to take selfies, viewable on a massive LED wall. All of these interactive exhibits required supporting mechanical and electrical infrastructure in order to function. From supplemental air conditioning units to handle the heat rejection of projectors, servers, and media players, to careful coordination of electrical devices and lighting to enhance the space, to providing flexibility and expandability for future exhibits, Kohler Ronan helped to ensure the delivery of a truly memorable, immersive experience for all Statue of Liberty Museum visitors.

Photography by © Anna Wesolowska / www.photographerhedman.com, © KEENA Photo, Courtesy of ESI Design

Mechanical | Electrical | Plumbing | Fire Protection | Technology Design | Energy Analysis | Construction Administration | Commissioning Services

171 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 93 Lake Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810 kohlerronan.com