The North Carolina Museum of History project consists of the renovation and addition to the existing facility. The renovations, new exhibits, and redistributed program functions will better serve the staff and visitors. A 10,000-square-foot addition will pay homage to the Wright Brothers. The iconic atrium will be light-filled with a gallery of the three replica Wright flyers. A new façade system of glass and metal panels with wood-looking elements will also provide a dramatic change to the aesthetic.
The existing building is an approximately 300,000 square feet concrete structure. It consists of three stories of underground post-tensioned concrete construction. The four stories above the parking levels consist of concrete pan joist construction. The existing building has been fully analyzed for the new atrium and new mechanical penthouse. The new additions are steel-framed moment frames to keep an open floor plan.
Other structural changes to the building include new elevators, stair relocation within the footprint, skylight replacement, new plaza coordination, and updated exhibit layout.
Renderings courtesy of LS3P & SmithGroup.