Art Complex Museum

Situated on 13 acres of scenic woodland and open fields, the Art Complex Museum is a prominent, regional, contemporary arts center. The museum houses the collection of Carl A. Weyerhaeuser and Edith Greenleaf Weyerhaeuser which encompasses diverse pieces including American paintings, Asian works, Shaker furniture, artifacts, sculpture, and works on paper. Founded in 1971, the 15,000 square-foot museum recently needed a refresh.

Kohler Ronan collaborated with Oudens Ello Architecture in 2021 and designed building systems to enhance the entry, better display the collection, and provide improved art storage. Critical to the interior renovation was the introduction of sprinklers throughout the facility. Kohler Ronan thoughtfully designed the sprinkler system to adapt to the building’s open structure and undulating ceilings. The result was a system that seamlessly integrated into the building.

Mechanical system improvements included a new, high-efficiency condensing boiler plant, a new control system, new humidification, and retro-commissioning to improve the functionality of the renovated mechanical systems. This proved to be an economical approach to modernize the building systems by leveraging the components of the system that were still in serviceable condition. By revisiting the original engineering assumptions and applying thoughtful analysis, most of the existing system was salvaged with improved controllability. Adjustments of air distribution elements were made to accommodate the changing nature of the museum’s programming and the building itself over its 50-year life. Equipped with an updated mechanical system, capable of providing stable environmental conditions for the vast collection, the museum is now positioned to operate into the future with renewed vigor.

Photo credit: © Raj Das Photography, LLC