Image credit: Annum Architects.
- Image credit: Annum Architects.
Originally constructed in 1911, the Muskegon Museum of Art is currently undergoing its first expansion in 30 years. A new north-facing entrance, three rotating galleries, and a roof terrace will elevate the visitor experience. Silman is providing structural engineering services for a two-story addition that will also contain new classrooms and a museum shop.
The new structure needs to accommodate the existing floor levels of the original museum, resulting in multiple steps inside the structure. Careful consideration of fire separation was also required: Silman designed for several fire conditions to allow for varying structural elements to break away to contain the fire and minimize damage.
The museum addition is steel framed with concrete composite acoustic deck. The lateral system consists of steel braced frames and CMU shear walls. Silman also considered the deflection and vibration of structural slabs to ensure adequate stiffness and minimize the potential for cracking of the polished concrete floor finishes in the gallery spaces.
