Smithsonian Institution
Paleobiology Laboratory National Museum of Natural History
This renovation in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History provided much-needed HVAC system upgrades to support the museum’s Paleobiology Department, which studies terrestrial and marine ecosystems dating back hundreds of millions of years. The modernization encompassed 30,000 SF of laboratory, shop, and workspace in the building’s east wing basement and ground floor.
Mueller conducted various testing and determined the existing building HVAC systems did not have sufficient supply air, return air, and exhaust airflow rates and static pressures to support new space uses, and the air handling unit (AHU) ductwork in the penthouse had severe pressure drop issues. Our design focused on replacing portions of the supply air duct systems with more efficient systems, increasing air delivery capacity without increasing the input power to the AHU. Return air ductwork and transfer air fans were added, and the lab exhaust fan was retrofitted with a new motor and mechanical drive. Spaces supported by these and other critical improvements include specimen and fossil work areas, collections areas, a casting room, an acid bath lab, and a welding shop.
Consulting Services
- HVAC Systems
- Electrical Power
- Plumbing Systems
- Life Cycle Cost Analyses
- Revit®
- Value Engineering
Architect
Quinn Evans
Client History
-
2027
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Revitalization
-
2026
National Air and Space Museum Revitalization
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