Photo Credit: Missouri Historical Society
ST. LOUIS, MO – Wiegmann Associates has completed work on a museum-quality HVAC system as part of the Missouri Historical Society’s $30 million historic revitalization of the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis. Renovation of the art deco memorial museum, opened in 1938 to honor local soldiers who died in World War I, is scheduled to reopen November 3, 2018. KAI is the mechanical engineer of record and BSI Constructors is the general contractor.
Wiegmann Associates was the installing mechanical contractor for the HVAC and Delta controls system, providing design/assist services to KAI to reduce equipment costs and develop an energy-efficient system that improves visitor comfort and protects historical exhibits.
The museum’s lower level was refurbished as galleries, more than doubling the exhibition space, and the second floor was renovated as office, assembly and meeting rooms. The HVAC system was designed to maintain strict humidity levels, to preserve artifacts in the galleries while maintaining comfort for visitors.
A primary project challenge was developing an energy efficient HVAC system that reliably maintains comfortable temperature levels in spaces that are nearly empty at times and then fully occupied for events. Sensors control humidity and ventilation in each of 24 zones of the building, conditioning the inside air as needed depending on how the space is occupied.
The contractors paid close attention to aesthetic details to maintain the historic integrity of the nearly 80-year-old building. For example, Wiegmann installed low registers in the 28-foot tall galleries, with grills reflecting the art deco style of the building.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the memorial site in 1936 and the art deco museum opened in 1938. In 2015, the City of St. Louis entered into an agreement with the Missouri Historical Society, which also operates the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, to assume operations of the historic landmark and oversee the substantial renovation and site reconstruction.
ABOUT SOLDIERS MEMORIAL
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, located in downtown St. Louis, is operated by the Missouri Historical Society. Following a $30 million revitalization, Soldiers Memorial reopens Nov. 3, 2018 as a state-of-the-art museum that honors military service members, veterans, and their families. Exhibits offer a comprehensive look at American military history through the lens of St. Louis. Soldiers Memorial offers programs and outreach services including special exhibits; tours; theatrical and musical presentations; programs for school classes and youth groups; special events; workshops; and lectures. The revitalization of Soldiers Memorial was paid for by anonymous donors to the Missouri Historical Society. Learn more: mohistory.org/memorial .
ABOUT WIEGMANN ASSOCIATES
Wiegmann Associates is a St. Louis-based mechanical contractor serving the commercial, industrial and institutional markets, and a national leader in design/build HVAC projects. Since 1995, Wiegmann Associates has engineered and installed innovative, energy-saving and cost-efficient HVAC solutions and automation controls for clients in a wide range of industries. Wiegmann also provides 24-hour preventative maintenance programs and service in the St. Louis region. Wiegmann is ranked among the top 50 specialty contractors in the Midwest by Engineering News Record and the top 10 largest mechanical contractors by the St. Louis Business Journal. For more information, visit www.wiegmannassoc.com or call (636) 940-1056.
# # #
Media Contact
Rachel Brown
[email protected]
314.961.9772