Maryhill Museum Expansion Blog

The Stevenson Wing is striving for a United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating.

Constructed with minimal impact on the landscape and natural environment, the expansion is largely underground, which maximizes energy efficiency. The concrete floors feature radiant heat and the Grand Plaza acts as a solar reflector, keeping the spaces beneath it cool. Ultra-low flow water fixtures and energy-efficient lighting is used throughout. Recycled materials, such as site-harvested Columbia River basalt, and certified wood are also featured.

Due to the use of energy efficient design in lighting, heating, cooling, pumps, fans, water heating, receptacles, cooking, and elevator, we are projecting to utilize 43.4% less electricity than a comparable building. Projected savings are over $10,000 per year, representing a 39.7% reduction in overall energy costs.

One of the main reasons we are able to achieve such impressive energy savings is that we are using one of the museum’s surrounding resources, spring water. Utilizing spring water as a source of energy, through WSHP (water source heat pumps) by either adding or extracting heat, allows the museum to reduce or eliminate its dependence on other sources of energy such as electricity or natural gas.

We are also focused on water conservation. A baseline building with occupants and visitors comparable to Maryhill is estimated to utilize 71,337 gallons of water per year. The Stevenson Wing and new water efficient fixtures are projected to utilize only 40,287 gallons of water per year.

One aspect of the new wing’s design is the use of glass throughout. According to GBD Architects, the intention in using the materials that are featured – site-harvested basalt, stucco, metal and, yes, glass – provides a transparency that contrasts with the original historic building, which is decidedly opaque. The result is a wing that quietly complements, but doesn’t compete, with the existing building and surrounding landscape.

This week we saw the installation of glass panels on the pavilion building that rises out of what will be the new Grand Plaza. From inside the pavilion, visitors will be afforded wonderful views of Mt. Hood and the Gorge; outside they’ll also be able to enjoy the museum’s growing collection of large-scale sculpture.

Last week our construction crew took advantage of the great weather and poured the concrete in the basement level of the new wing. Take a look at the time-lapse video of our hard-working crew in action. This week they are on to concrete polishing!

Paul Schommer, our construction site supervisor on the Mary and Bruce Stevenson Wing, has put together this time-lapse video of our progress.

It’s been a busy month at Maryhill Museum of Art, as our construction crew works hard to beat the onslaught of fall weather. Fortunately, we are on the east side, which typically means a longer stretch of good weather in the fall before the rains hit.

The steel structural supports are in place, as are the walls and ceiling. We are even a bit ahead of schedule.

We’re also thrilled to report that our project is on track to meet the guidelines for LEED Gold certification, or possibly Platinum, one of the highest honors for environmental sustainability.

Over the winter finish work will commence. For now, enjoy these shots of the new wing and a preview of the stunning views it will frame.

Also, mark your calendar and plan to join us on May 13, 2012. That’s the date we will formally dedicate the new wing. It’s also Sam Hill’s birthday!