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The Smithsonian Institution recently awarded Clark Construction Group, LLC a $33 million contract to build a collection storage area and laboratory space project for the National Museum of Natural History.
Located at the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Md., the project, known as pod-5, consists of a three-level alcohol storage facility, which will be used to store flammable artifacts and other collections, and 25,000 square feet of supporting laboratory space. This building will consolidate collections from pod 3 and the National Museum of Natural History, while accommodating the fire and safety design futures required for alcohol based research and collection.
Clark’s contract features sitework, underground utilities, excavation, drainage, and foundation system; a poured-in-place concrete structure; structural steel framing, deck, and imbeds; roofing systems, waterproofing, insulation, and air/vapor barriers. When completed, the temperature of POD 5 storage area will be kept at 70 degrees and 50% relative humidity with a leeway of 2%.
The team includes Ewing Cole of Washington, D.C., architect/engineer/interior designer, SAKO & Associates of Fairfax, Va., security and communications, and Alpha Corporation of Dulles, Va., civil engineer.
Serving a nationwide and international professional audience, the Museum Support Center is the Smithsonian’s headquarters for independently formulated programs in research and education in conservation and scientific studies of collection materials.
Contact: Corporate Communications
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