Nebraska State Historical Society
Lincoln, Nebraska
As part of a comprehensive strategic planning effort, the Nebraska State Historical Society enlisted Bahr Vermeer Haecker to develop a comprehensive Facility Renovation Master Plan for all of its Lincoln facilities. The facilities include the National Register listed Headquarters Building at 15th and R Streets and the State Museum at Centennial Mall and P Street in downtown Lincoln. The BVH study assessed the existing facilities and programs, analyzed future space needs, and prepared concept and plans and alternatives which would allow the NSHS to meet current and future facility requirements for the next 20 years. Detailed estimates and phasing plans were developed to implement the master plan and to obtain funding from the Nebraska Legislature. During the participatory master planning process, users were interviewed, facilities were inspected to identify utilization and building conditions, and future space requirements budgets were projected.
Subsequently, in 2009 the Headquarters Renovation was funded by the Nebraska Legislature. BVH Architects prepared renovation documents and provided construction administration for this project. The renovation scope included the remediation of serious life safety/code violations and accessibility issues by adding sensitively designed emergency exit towers from the archives and all main levels of the building. The project also include the complete replacement of aging mechanical/environmental systems and installation of fire protection systems to protect valuable historical artifacts housed in the archives and collections storage areas. At the exterior the Indiana Limestone exterior cladding was tuck-pointed and carefully cleaned removing decades of grime and organic growth. New insulations and roofing systems were also installed improving the energy efficiency of the building envelope. All key public interior spaces impacted by the project were also restored as part of the project including terrazzo floors, plaster finishes and new lighting systems. The renovation was carefully planned and construction work phased to allow the Historical Society to occupy the building during the construction thus avoiding costly relocation costs. The project construction phase was completed in the Fall of 2010, significantly below the initial budget estimates.
As part of a comprehensive strategic planning effort, the Nebraska State Historical Society enlisted Bahr Vermeer Haecker to develop a comprehensive Facility Renovation Master Plan for all of its Lincoln facilities. The facilities include the National Register listed Headquarters Building at 15th and R Streets and the State Museum at Centennial Mall and P Street in downtown Lincoln. The BVH study assessed the existing facilities and programs, analyzed future space needs, and prepared concept and plans and alternatives which would allow the NSHS to meet current and future facility requirements for the next 20 years. Detailed estimates and phasing plans were developed to implement the master plan and to obtain funding from the Nebraska Legislature. During the participatory master planning process, users were interviewed, facilities were inspected to identify utilization and building conditions, and future space requirements budgets were projected.
Subsequently, in 2009 the Headquarters Renovation was funded by the Nebraska Legislature. BVH Architects prepared renovation documents and provided construction administration for this project. The renovation scope included the remediation of serious life safety/code violations and accessibility issues by adding sensitively designed emergency exit towers from the archives and all main levels of the building. The project also include the complete replacement of aging mechanical/environmental systems and installation of fire protection systems to protect valuable historical artifacts housed in the archives and collections storage areas. At the exterior the Indiana Limestone exterior cladding was tuck-pointed and carefully cleaned removing decades of grime and organic growth. New insulations and roofing systems were also installed improving the energy efficiency of the building envelope. All key public interior spaces impacted by the project were also restored as part of the project including terrazzo floors, plaster finishes and new lighting systems. The renovation was carefully planned and construction work phased to allow the Historical Society to occupy the building during the construction thus avoiding costly relocation costs. The project construction phase was completed in the Fall of 2010, significantly below the initial budget estimates.
