 Top:
Museum Exterior with Manmade Pond
A storm water runoff system collects and redirects storm
water into the pond that surrounds one side of the Museum.
Bottom Left: Otter Falls
Power distribution systems design supports high-tech
requirements throughout the Museum including various
interactive audio/visual displays and multiple
lighting dimming systems.
Bottom Right: Alpine Exhibit
Supply air jets create the sensation of breezes
on a mountaintop, blowing air at the exhibits occupants. Floor
mounted linear registers capture fog from a fog
machine and confines it within the exhibit space.
All photos courtesy of HOK- Project Architect
The first museum in New York State to achieve a LEED® Silver certification,
The Wild Center is a celebration of the Adirondack Park, the "largest
Park in the lower 48 states." Syska Hennessy Group was selected
to engineer an environment replicating this natural wilderness.
The museum consists of three connected but distinct buildings,
each delivering a unique experience to the overall museum visit.
The Great Hall rotunda is surrounded by 42-foot-tall birch trees
and equally-tall, high-efficiency glass windows. The East Wing
transports visitors into the Adirondack wilderness where four seasons
of weather - winter, spring, summer and fall - are engineered seamlessly
within one room. Exhibits of mountaintops, trout streams and glacier
walls give visitors an experience of actually traveling through
the Park. The West Wing features a 165-seat high-definition panoramic
theater, where films and speakers present additional facts, history
and anecdotes of this Park's natural wonders.
Engineering achievements include integrated systems that simulate
a flowing river stream, generate wind and fog, and move glaciers
forward continually. Multiple heating designs, multiple air distribution
systems, and special ventilation and dedicated exhaust systems
addressed varying needs. Additionally, power distribution systems,
a standalone emergency backup power system, lightning and fire
protection, and data/telecom designs were incorporated.
The Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks (The Wild Center)
received the New York ACEC local chapter
Diamond Award (top level) in April 2008.
Project Features
LEED® Silver New Construction certified
Diamond award for engineering excellence (ACEC NY)
Digital/interactive/live exhibits
Trout/otter exhibit with flowing streams
Moving glaciers exhibit
Manmade pond with storm water runoff
Panoramic theater
Restaurant and retail shop
High efficiency heating and cooling
Biofiltration
Freshwater life support system
Water temperature maintenance system
Boiler/chiller plant Services Provided
Mechanical
Electrical
Plumbing
Fire protection
Fire alarm and life safety
Information technology
Audio-visual
Security
Building management systems
Size
35,000 sf
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