Santa Clara County, CA
Moffett Federal Airfield Hangar 1
Scope/Solutions
Constructed by the U. S. Navy in 1933 to support its lighter-than-air aviation program, Moffett Federal Airfield was transferred to NASA after being decommissioned in 1994. One of the airfield’s most recognizable buildings is Hangar 1, a monumental steel-framed structure designed to house the USS Macon and now designated as part of the U.S. Naval Air Station Sunnyvale, California, Historic District. After identifying and removing hazardous building materials from the historic hangar, NASA collaborated with the U.S. General Services Administration to rehabilitate and repurpose the structure. Working with the architect of record, SGH provided building enclosure and materials science services for the project.
SGH consulted on the design for replacing the building enclosure to meet historic preservation and performance goals and conducted laboratory testing that informed our restoration design of the historic concrete components. Highlights of our work include:
- Evaluating proposed cladding options to evaluate the appropriateness for meeting aesthetic and long-term durability considerations
- Nondestructive and laboratory testing of historic concrete in slab-on-grade, stem walls, and the perimeter drain to help us develop appropriate repair approaches
- Establishing performance criteria and developing details for the corrugated cladding and expansion joint assemblies, including details to integrate the waterproofing with adjacent systems and transitions at the concrete stem walls
- Consulting on new facade and glazing systems
- Helping select and develop details for low-slope roofing
- Participating in reviews by the State Historic Preservation Officer for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
- Visiting the site to observe installation of the enclosure systems and help the project team address field conditions
- Witnessing performance testing of custom cladding assemblies
Project Summary
2025
350K
Awards
Key team members
