Back the early 2000s, green design for museums seemed an insurmountable problem. The strict requirements for regulating air quality, humidity, and lighting meant that museums were obliged to consume large amounts of energy for the sake of conserving their collections. The museum of the past was essentially a “refrigerator for art.”
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GRAM marked a turning point. Through strategies such as sensitive planning to maximize sun orientation, a highly efficient climactic control system, a light-porous building envelope, optimized air and filtration systems, and rainwater recycling, we were able to dramatically reduce the building’s carbon footprint. We use the term “invisible green” to assert our belief that sustainability should be inherent to design – an accepted necessity rather than an optional add-on.
Status: Built
Location: Grand Rapids, MI, US
Firm Role: Structural Engineer
Additional Credits: Design Architect-WHY Architecture Workshop Inc
Executive Architect-Design Plus, Inc.
Initial Concept Design-M+M, London
MEP Engineer-Design Plus, Inc.
Civil Engineer-Moor & Bruggink
Lighting Consultant-Isometrix Lighting + Design
Environmental Engineer- AtelierTen
