MEP engineering for the adaptive reuse of a historic 1830s chapel converted the space into a flexible meeting and exhibition area for two carved stone relief panels, including a 3,000-year-old original and a reproduction from an ancient Assyrian temple. The design includes an energy-efficient HVAC system with VAV and demand control ventilation, micro-environment controls for temperature and humidity, museum-quality lighting, and BAS integration for monitoring. Systems were carefully coordinated and concealed to preserve the building’s historic character while supporting exhibit performance and flexibility, and were designed in accordance with LEED principles, though the project did not pursue certification.
This adaptive reuse and renovation project transformed a classroom into a flexible meeting room and gallery space. 2RW provided MEP design for an energy-efficient HVAC system connected to campus utilities, incorporating variable air volume (VAV) controls and demand control ventilation (DCV) strategies to support varying occupancy and use.
The design also includes micro-environment controls with humidity and temperature sensors within sealed exhibit panels, museum-quality exhibit lighting, and lighting controls integrated into the building automation system. Audiovisual, telecommunications, and security system conduits were carefully coordinated, with electrical conduits concealed within channels carved into existing plaster walls to preserve the historic character of the space. Mechanical and electrical systems were thoughtfully planned to minimize visual impact, and thermal sensors were integrated with the central campus BAS to enable monitoring and automated alerts.
The project successfully delivers a flexible meeting and exhibition space that meets modern museum standards while preserving the historic character of the 1830s chapel. Due to tight spatial constraints within the existing structure, all systems were carefully selected and coordinated to fit within the limited available space without disrupting the building’s original fabric. The new HVAC systems and museum-quality lighting provide precise environmental control and exhibit performance, aligning with 21st-century standards while maintaining the integrity of the historic building.
Bowie Gridley Architects
Harry Braswell
2021 – Award of Merit in Historic Architecture – American Institute of Architects NOVA
