Cleveland Museum of Art Ohio, National Enclosure, MERO Structures, Modern America building news

Cleveland Museum of Art : CMA East Wing

CMA East Wing Development design by Rafael Viñoly Architects, USA

Jul 30, 2010

Design: Rafael Viñoly Architects

Cleveland Museum of Art Ohio

National Enclosure Company and MERO Structures announce a Strategic Business Alliance and Their First Joint Project in the U.S.

photo : Brad Feinknopf

National Enclosure brings the authentic MERO Structures technology to the U.S.

July 29, 2010 (Pontiac, Michigan) – National Enclosure Company, LLC announces today the formation of a strategic business alliance with MERO Structures, Inc., the new American division of German-based MERO-TSK, a company with international experience in the design, engineering and development of advanced facades and structures.

Together, National Enclosure Company and MERO Structures, Inc., will pursue opportunities to provide the most technologically-advanced structures and facade systems in the United States to commercial developments. The benefits to architects and developers in the United States will be to have exclusive access to MERO-TSK’s acclaimed technology via National Enclosure’s recognized installation and project management expertise.

The first official, joint effort for this new strategic business alliance will be the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Phase II renovation and expansion, a contract valued at $ 7 million.

About The Strategic Business Alliance

National Enclosure Company (NEC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Construction Enterprises based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. NEC addresses the entire wall envelope including glass, aluminum, terracotta, granite and stone. In addition, NEC focuses on the needs and unique responsibilities of designing, fabricating and installing advanced facade systems which is why the strategic business alliance with MERO Structures is a natural fit.

MERO Structures, Inc., based in Atlanta, is the new American division of MERO-TSK group of companies based in Wuerzburg, Germany which was founded in 1928. The founder’s original and patented tube/node construction system element became a worldwide industry benchmark as an economical and high-quality solution for three-dimensional unitized spatial structures. MERO-TSK is recognized as a world leader in complex advanced structures and facade solutions, working with internationally-renowned architects to bring unique design concepts to reality.

“The ability to provide architects and developers in the U.S. with access to the authentic MERO-TSK technology is distinctive,” explains Paul Becks, Executive Vice President of NEC. “The international reputation for MERO-TSK is enviable and this strategic business alliance represents the first time that commercial and institutional developers in the United States can fully execute their advanced structures and facade system designs using the most proven technology.”

The MERO-TSK patented technology has been utilized in some of the most notable and iconic advanced facade structures around the globe including the largest unitized spatial structure in the world, the Ferrari World Theme Park in Abu Dhabi. Other notable projects include the EDEN Project in Cornwall, UK; the Central Rail Station in Berlin and the New Fair/Exhibit Center in Milan.

The MERO-TSK technology is also evident in select U.S. projects including the General Motors Winter Garden and the Corning Glass Museum where the German-based company provided the technologically-advanced system engineering as well as components for the glass atrium roof and facade. MERO Structures’ current strategic business alliance with National Enclosure Company represents a more active presence in the United States and a more active involvement with the initial concept and design of projects. The strategic business alliance also ensures a more efficient execution of the concept and design because of the close working relationship with an experienced installation and project management U.S.-based firm.

About The Cleveland Art Museum – Phase II

photos : Brad Feinknopf

The first official, joint effort for this new strategic business alliance will be the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Phase II renovation. NEC was involved with Phase I renovations reporting to Panzica/Gilbane, the Construction Manager for this project. MERO-TSK was a key supplier to NEC. Moving into Phase II initiatives the partners of the new strategic alliance are working as one team to execute the Museum’s ambitious renovation. The value of this first joint effort contract is $7 million.

The $350 million Rafael Vinoly renovation and expansion of the Cleveland Museum of Art will, once completed, realize a renovation of the landmark 1916 Beaux-Arts south building and the 1971 Marcel Breuer designed north building. As well, the Museum will realize an increase from 389,000 sq.ft. to 592,500 sq.ft. with the addition of new gallery and education space.

For Phase II of the renovation and expansion, which is currently underway, NEC and MERO Structures, working with Panzica/Gilbane, will oversee the advanced facade system for the new west wing that will contain additional gallery space, a spacious new cafe and restaurant and workrooms for museum staff. In addition, Phase II calls for the construction of a new north wing that will contain additional gallery space, an innovative, interactive Lifelong Learning Center , an expanded museum store and offices for museum staff.

Completion of Phase II elements are projected to be in 2012-2013.

Cleveland Museum of Art Phase I renovations

Highlights of the Phase I renovations include enhancing the existing Breuer entrance with the addition of a new structural glass entrance wall, clerestory and vestibule, accented by custom structural glass doors. The facade incorporates 2.5m x 5m laminated glass panes, connected to moment fixed glass fins.

Also in the Breuer building, the addition of an elevator was needed to meet ADA requirements and was achieved with the addition of a completely frameless, free standing glass cube measuring 3m x 3m at its base and 8m in height with no structural supports.

The renovation of the 1916 Beaux-Arts building involved replacing the existing skylight system, which covered the entire roof, with a new high-performance, factory glazed unitized skylight system. Additionally above each gallery is a lay light system of laminated glass that is precisely designed to provide the needed optical daylight required within that space to present the art in its most natural setting.

Lastly, for the east gallery, NCE and MERO-TSK designed a structural glass facade for the new sculpture gallery. This 4m tall facade is unique in that it includes a 1m deep “dual wall” which doubles as a HVAC plenum and is accomplished entirely with glass with no structural support elements to disrupt the view.

The associated corridor and bridge that connects the new gallery to the 1916 building is particularly sophisticated. Laminated structural glass is used to support the entire structure. There is a complete absence of structural supports of any type and instead you witness the use of the glass walls as moment connected beams and the glass rafters supporting the glass roof and connecting to the glass gallery.

Advanced facade systems are often incorporated into monumental and high-rise projects with substantial design and installation requirements. Designs for an advance facade often require sophisticated component systems. These advanced systems are in accordance with new energy standards dictated by LEED Certification (U.S. Green Building Council), a newly prevalent standard across the nation. National Enclosure Company currently has three certified LEED professionals on staff.

National Enclosure Company

National Enclosure Company, LLC is a nationally-ranked curtainwall and advanced facade contractor with proven expertise in monumental and high-rise curtainwall projects. The primary focus is to address the elements that create successful results: budgets, design, scheduling, materials, construction and cost-saving alternatives.

National Enclosure Company, LLC is a subsidiary of National Construction Enterprises. For more information, please visit www.nationalenclosure.com or follow NEC on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NatEnclosure.

MERO Structures

MERO Structures, Inc., is the new American division of MERO-TSK group of companies based in Wuerzburg, Germany. Founded in 1928, the company’s specialties include three-dimensional spatial structures, Architecturally Exposed Steel (AES), glass and dark cladding solutions for advanced structures and modern structural glazing solutions.

MERO Structures continues to provide the highest technologically-advanced construction solutions for significant structures around the world. For more information, please visit www.mero-structures.com.

National Enclosure Company and MERO Structures + Cleveland Museum of Art information received 300710

Cleveland Museum of Art Architect : Rafael Vinoly

Location: Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA

Cleveland Museum of Art – Building Information

image : Brad Feinknopf

Ohio Buildings

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes over 40,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. Currently undergoing a multi-phase renovation and expansion project, it is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, performing arts, and art education. Admission to the museum has been free since its founding charter.

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a membership of nearly 25,000 households and is supported by a broad range of individuals, foundations, and businesses in Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio. The museum is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. Additional support comes from the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this project with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.