SMBH

A creative culture of passionate people engaged in innovative structural design.

Civic

Columbus Museum of Art Expansion

Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus Museum of Art Expansion

Location:
Columbus, Ohio

Architect:
DesignGroup

Construction Cost:
$30 million

Project Size:
94,000 SF

LEED Certification:
Silver

The addition of the new Margaret M. Walter Wing and the renovation of the existing building gave the Columbus Museum of Art a significant amount of new gallery, administrative, and retail space. The project included a major addition and a significant renovation of the 1974 wing of the museum, resulting in a project that is an integrated interior space featuring the original 1930’s building. The styles of the original building and the addition are very different, yet it feels like a seamless space.

The large open gallery spaces in the new wing were made possible by using one-way post tensioned concrete slabs and beams on the ground floor and long-span steel joists for the roof. In addition, the high anticipated live load dictated that a very robust structure be used in the gallery areas. Because of these factors, multiple types of structural systems were integrated into the overall design to accommodate all of the different conditions.

The renovation of the 1974 wing included adding an event space, which required that an existing column be removed while maintaining the existing roof structure. The new areas interface with the original structure in an irregular and novel manner. These locations required an unusually high level of creativity and coordination to achieve the overall design goals.

The Construction Manager was involved in the design from the beginning, and a highly intense coordination process was needed due to physical space restrictions.

Awards:

  • 2016 AIA Columbus Honor Award
  • 2016 James B Recchie Design Award
  • 2015 Wall Street Journal: The Best Architecture

Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Library Renovation

Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch

Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library Renovation

Location:
Columbus, Ohio

Architect:
Schooley Caldwell Associates & Gund Partnership

Construction Cost:
$20 million

Project Size:
231,000 SF

The original Carnegie Library was built in 1903. The structure is clay tile/concrete rib joist construction bearing on load-bearing masonry. The library was greatly expanded in 1988 to its present size. This expansion encompassed a below grade parking garage with three stories of above grade building to house the library’s collection. The library was reconfigured to better serve the library patrons who use the collection of books, audio recordings, DVDs and who use the new computers for access to the internet.
The structure is composed of steel beams supporting concrete slabs on composite metal deck. The library was clad with precast panels. The renovation removed many of these to open the interior to day light, with new curtain walls on three of four sides. The lobby atrium was enlarged, and the stairs and elevators reconfigured for a more open environment. Six bays of the third floor were removed to create an open two-story event space on the second floor. New balconies in this area look out onto the adjacent topiary park.

The biggest structural challenge was to design the removal of two columns between the second floor and the roof to accommodate the removal of the third floor in that area. The removal of the third floor allowed for a dramatic two-story space with floor to ceiling windows with a great view of the park. This had to be accomplished without disrupting the mechanical and electrical operations occurring in the penthouse that was supported by the two columns that had to be removed. SMBH designed the new structure so that it could be constructed economically without disturbing the mechanical and electrical operations.

The project was designed with a phased delivery to accommodate a very short schedule. The renovation was completed in less than 20 months to accommodate a national librarian convention that was scheduled for August of 2016.

Filed Under: Civic

Cincinnati Art Museum

Cincinnati Art Museum -Schmidlapp-029

Cincinnati Art Museum

Location:
Cincinnati, Ohio

Architect:
Emersion Design LLC

Construction Cost:
$13.3 million

Project Size:
40,000 SF

LEED Certification:
LEED Certified

The existing facility consisted of the original building and numerous additions that created small spaces with no flow. This project opened up multiple areas, creating large gallery spaces and allowing for cohesive flow through the building. The renovation created approximately 15,000 square feet of gallery and exhibition space, and included the creation of the Rosenthal Education Center – a space for families to discover the museum in a fun, safe and very immersive manner.

There were complex renovations to three existing buildings including the Adams – Emery Wing and the Alms Addition to the 1880’s original structure. The project involved significant modifications to the existing structure consisting of masonry bearing walls and a concrete pan joist floor system. Existing office spaces were relocated and the existing auditorium was turned into open gallery space. Original window openings were restored for new windows to let light into the Schmidlapp Gallery, creating inviting space both within the gallery and the adjacent courtyard.

This LEED Certified renovation is now home to staff offices, the new Rosenthal Education Center and Archives.

Filed Under: Civic

Michael B Coleman Government Center

Michael B Coleman Government Center

Michael B Coleman Government Center

Location:
Columbus, Ohio

Architects:
Schooley Caldwell Associates and DesignGroup

Construction Cost:
$45 million

Project Size:
180,000 SF

This eight-story, 180,000 square foot building puts four City departments under one roof: Building & Zoning Services, Public Service, Development, and a portion of Public Utilities. Bringing these interactive departments together in a central location created a more convenient process for residents who need to visit multiple departments. It also helps increase operational efficiency for the City departments and their employees.

On the street level of the building, customers can easily navigate the departments on the retail concourse, where most of them can get their quick “in and out” functions taken care of within 10-30 minutes. A monumental staircase at the center of the concourse leads up to the second floor, where there is more public space and a hearing room. The other six stories of the building are dedicated to City Department offices.

Three stories of the building were designed to pay homage to City Hall with tall windows, pilasters, and a limestone veneer. Likewise, the eight-story tower pays homage with its glass and zinc panels. This aesthetic is also intended to make a statement about the transparency of government and the values of our city, including innovation and sustainability.

The Michael B Coleman Government Center is the newest part of the City Hall campus, which features a large, central Campus Green, with paths connecting the buildings, lighting, searing, art, and a rain garden. Just north of the building is and eight-story, 700 car parking garage to provide parking for customers, city employees, and a city fleet of vehicles for city departments working downtown.