A Regional Treasure Is Reimagined, Creating a Cutting-Edge Museum Experience and Destination.
The Bruce Museum, a community-based, world-class institution highlighting art, science, and natural history, was constructed in the 1850s as a private residence before undergoing numerous expansions and renovations. The latest renovation of the Bruce Museum included a 42,000 square-foot addition that more than doubled the size of the original museum. It provided space for state-of-the-art permanent and changing exhibition galleries, more collection storage, a new public entrance lobby, and new education and community spaces, including a café and lecture hall. The project included updating the storage areas for Bruce’s growing collection of 25,000 works of art, natural history specimens, scientific objects and artifacts, and a new study room to welcome visiting researchers exploring the collections. The new addition opens directly onto Bruce Park and features a delicate striated façade of cast stone and glass.
Altieri provided MEPF systems design work consisting of a new mechanical plant with all-new equipment including 165-ton chiller, 13 air handlers and associated humidifiers, and 4 boilers. A new 3000-amp electric service was engineered which back-feeds the existing building, a 1200-amp electric service, a new panel board distribution throughout the new addition, a new 450 kW generator and associated transfer switches which serve both life-safety and stand-by loads, and a new lighting and control system. Sprinklers were extended throughout the new addition, and a new standpipe riser was provided for the fire department’s use. There was also an upgrade in gas service and new plumbing piping distribution for multiple toilet stalls assigned for gender-neutral use.
