The Renwick Gallery, the first purpose-built art museum in the U.S., was built in 1859 and last renovated in 1967-1972. Our renovation of this National Historic Landmark replaces and improves major building infrastructure systems, enhances historic features, and improves interior conditions to ensure the preservation and efficient operation of this treasured structure for future generations.

Employing an artful interpretation balancing heavy infrastructure improvements with a light architectural touch, the design takes advantage of already-modified interior core light wells and attic space to accommodate new infrastructure, thus avoiding impact to historic spaces. Since reopening, the Renwick Gallery has seen increased audience engagement, rising from 35,000 visitors annually pre-renovation to 500,000 visitors and growing. The building is one of the first museums in the U.S. to use an all-LED solution for gallery lighting, which enhances energy efficiency while preserving the level of controlled lighting necessary in a museum environment. Energy performance is improved 50% from the 2012 baseline operation. We provided architecture; interiors; electrical and mechanical engineering; audiovisual; information transport; lighting; preservation; and sustainability design services.