The Cranbrook Art Museum has been reopened after renovation works designed by SmithGroupJJR have been completed.
Cranbrook Art Museum new Collections Wing, designed by SmithGroupJJR.
The $22 million, two and a half year project involved the construction of the new Collection wing of the museum and restoration of Eliel Saarinen’s 1942 iconic structure.
The new Collections wing consists of three stories and is an expansion of the museum by 31,200 sq.ft. Around 6,000 pieces of art, design and architecture will be displayed in this wing in storage vaults that can be accessed by students, artists and academicians. The wing will also consist of a receiving area for new collection items arriving at the museum. The main mechanical plant of the current museum was redesigned in order to regulate humidity and temperature at a consistent level all through the year. The new Collection wing also contains 12 ft zinc clad steel panels that cover the service court of the wing.
These panels also act as a counterpoint for the panels that are lead coated in the red brick New Studios Building. Mahogany plank doors and custom-made stainless steel pulls and pushes and usage of soft coating to retain natural light are the interior highlights of the new Collection wing. The primary openings within the block have stainless steel plate surrounds. SmithGroupJJR has 354 LEED professionals and 72 LEED certified projects.
Source: http://www.smithgroupjjr.com