Cambridge, MA
The Cooper Gallery
Scope/Solutions
Designed by David Adjaye, The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African & African American Art at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center repurposes an existing commercial space as a new gallery. The front elevation features a series of vertical wood planks influenced by the forests in Ghana, where the designer’s family is from. SGH was the structural engineer, developed and physically-tested a custom timber moment-resisting connection, and consulted on the building enclosure.
The project involved the adaptive reuse of an existing commercial space into a modern and inviting gallery space. Our work included the following:
- Evaluated the existing concrete slabs to support a new raised floor and variable loads for the flexibility of the gallery spaces
- Designed structural framing for the raised floor and access ramp
- Developed a testing program to evaluate the attachment of terrazzo tile that extends up the full height of the facade on one side
- Designed the vertical timber mullions and cantilevered entry canopy for the front facade
- Used three-dimensional parametric modeling to highlight potential fabrication/access issues and illustrate modifications for improved construction and detail reliability
- Developed and executed a physical testing program to evaluate the strength of a custom moment-resisting timber connection for the canopy
- Assisted with the design of the front curtain wall facade by reviewing proposed systems and details, making recommendations to improve the performance, conducting hygrothermal modeling, and detailing system and material transitions
- Used finite element analyses for a full-height glass wall in Gallery 3 to determine the required glass thickness, design the gravity and lateral support for the wall, and evaluate the capacity of existing slab in consideration of its ability to support the glass wall
Photo by Dean Kaufman
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Project Summary
2014
Completion Date
Award
Winner
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures | Structures | Applied Science & Research
Markets
Culture & Entertainment
Client(s)
Marc Truant & Associates, Inc.
Specialized Capabilities
Building Design | Facades & Glazing | Physical Testing
Key team members
Additional Projects
Northeast
Museum of Fine Arts Expansion
SGH consulted on the design and construction of the entire building enclosure, with the goal of providing reliable enclosure systems for controlling water leakage, moisture migration, and condensation.
Northeast
The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
Established in 1809, The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the city. SGH provided structural engineering services associated with major interior renovations and repairs for the leaning and deteriorated cemetery wall.