Maryland Museum receives Metal Architecture 2005 Interior Design Award

Anna Marich
919-941-9790

08/22/2005

Click the link below to view project entry:

Metal Architecture August 2005 Issue

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

Completed in August 2004

Architect: Freelon/RTKL Joint Venture

General Contractor: Whiting Turner

Metal Wall Panel Manufacturer: Metal Sales & Service Inc.

Installer: Metal Sales & Service Inc.

About the project: The design for this $33 million building was influenced by the limitations of a narrow, .6-acre urban plot on a busy corner and the historically-significant buildings nearby. Poor soil conditions and a high water table required importing over 4,800 cubic yards of soil prior to construction. Forty-six caissons spaced approximately 20' apart were built an average of 35' below grade to help support the steel and cast-in-place concrete skeleton.

The exterior of the 82,000 sq. ft. building was clad with materials reflecting the colors in Maryland's state flag -- red, yellow and black. A 96'-high, curving red fin wall is the focal point of the facility. It starts on the outside and bisects the building to the four-story lobby on the inside. There it changes to a perforated aluminum plate material and runs alongside a curving staircase.

This museum includes a cafeteria, bookstore, distance learning classroom, a temporary exhibits gallery, multi-purpose auditorium and permanent exhibit area on the first and second floors. Offices, conservation areas, an oral history recording studio and terrace are located on the upper levels.

About the products: Approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of .125" smooth aluminum Metalwerks Arcwall 2510 Dry Set plate system were used on the project. The material was provided in custom red and yellow finishes. Other metal panels used included vaulted soffits, graphics walls, vestibule entry cladding and a curtainwall.

? Copyright, Metal Architecture, August 2005