Brooklyn Museum–Great Hall Renovation, BROOKLYN, NY

CLIENT OBJECTIVES

With the ultimate goal of creating a better flow for individuals desiring to display and view art within the Brooklyn Museum, the facility embarked upon a number of construction projects. Upgrading the air condition and humidity control in its century-old building was essential. As was upgrading the museum’s entire fire alarm system to bring it up to current fire code standards. New gallery spaces were created or renovated, and a new café and gift shop was constructed to replace the previously outdated space. A new high-end restaurant was constructed, as well.

VALUE DELIVERED

Forest Electric completed the installation of all lighting fixtures and finishes, per the agreed upon schedule, while adhering to the considerations presented while working in a museum setting. The timely completion of each project phase allowed all of the previously scheduled exhibitions to proceed without delay.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

• Replace existing electrical services
• Renovation of 32,000 square-foot basement
• Install new distribution panels
• Install new lighting
• Install new security system
• Install new fire alarm system
• Install new kitchen
• Install electrical dimming system
• Install audio system

SOLUTIONS

Working with the Museum since 2008, Forest has done many projects at this facility including construction of a new building extension to the existing facility and new electric service in the existing building in addition to these most recent phases of the project which consisted of renovations to the Gallery Spaces including the addition of a balcony around the Great Hall which created additional gallery space for the Museum for which Forest provided new electric distribution panels, new dimming system panels, lighting, fire alarm and security.

BACKGROUND

Forest Electric was chosen by the Brooklyn Museum in 2008 to begin construction on a new building extension being added to the existing facility. After completing the project to the museum’s satisfaction, Forest Electric was brought back in 2009 to commence work on renovating the facility’s 32,000-square-foot basement. Following another successful project, Forest Electric was again invited back to the museum in June of 2010, ultimately performing several additional phases of work which were completed in February 2014.

Due to the museum being open to the public during renovations, extra care was required to avoid disturbing areas that were not closed off. Special attention also was also given so that the art located in adjoining areas was not disturbed.

Since the museum is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays, those days were used to schedule all the required chopping, drilling, and power shutdowns events. Because the museum schedules its art exhibits months in advance, it was imperative that the project schedule be met.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States. It is a publicly funded institution that receives support from the City of New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Council. The Museum houses amongst its many exhibits a large Egyptian collection, several rebuilt 19th century houses, an African Art Gallery, Native American and Spanish Colonial objects, a contemporary art gallery, and much more.

OPERATING COMPANY:
Forest Electric NY

CLIENT:
Brooklyn Museum of Art

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Cauldwell Wingate
Gilbane

ARCHITECT:
Ennead Architects LLP
EwingCole Architects

MECHANICAL ENGINEER:
Jaros, Baum & Bolles

PROJECT DURATION:
May 2008–February 2014

CONTRACT AMOUNT:
$13,000,000

		Design/Build
		Bid Build
		New Construction
		Retrofit/Renovation
		Electrical Construction
		Mechanical Construction
		Facilities Services
		Consulting Services