Avenir Foundation Conservation and Collections Resource Center

Completed Fall 2013

Construction began November 5, 2012 on GW’s new dual-purpose building on the Virginia Science and Technology Campus. Located at the intersection of Presidential Drive and George Washington Boulevard, the building features a 22,000 square foot state-of-the-art collections and conservation resource center and an adjacent 30,000 square feet of additional space, to be designed and built out for future academic and research activities. The separate buildings share a common entrance and some support functions.

Architect: Cooper Carry
Construction Manager: Whiting-Turner

The collections and conservation resource center is an environmentally controlled structure especially designed for the long term protection, study and care of the university’s own collections; those of the Textile Museum, which entered into a partnership with the university last year; and the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, an unparalleled compilation of more than 600 maps, prints and other documents related to Washington, D.C.’s, history as the capital city. The Textile Museum’s collection includes more than 19,000 objects, including carpets and rugs from Egypt, Spain and central Asia; a group of 17th-century Caucasian dragon carpets and fragments that is one of the world’s best outside of Turkey; an extensive collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian textiles, early Islamic textiles; and many other examples from China, Japan and Africa.

The project completed during the fall of 2013.

Construction Updates

2014

August 22, 2014 - Closeout Update
Avenir Foundation Conservation and Collections Resource Center was substantially completed this spring with the occupancy permit granted on February 2014. Installation of the shelving systems for the storage facilities was completed in early spring. The staff has been moving in artifacts since then and hope to have the entire collection moved during fall 2014.

2013

September 24, 2013
Construction continues on the dual-purpose collections and conservation resource center. By the end of October, the construction team expects to have achieved substantial completion of the project, including interior finishes and exterior site work and landscaping. They will then commence with the rigorous testing period before the museum collections are brought into the facility. Full operation of the facility is projected for early 2014.

Recent Construction Activity

Installed windows, including the large glass curtain
Installed roofing and air conditioning units
Installation of the brick exterior of the building is underway
Interior work is underway

Upcoming Construction Activity

Complete the exterior of the building
Install the remaining interior mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems
Complete the interior drywall installation
Interior finishes, painting, flooring and cabinetry
Complete the permanent utilities and have the major HVAC systems started and operational
Begin the exterior site work (sidewalks, fine grading and landscaping)

August 2013
After completion of design work in late 2012 and site preparation in early 2013, foundation and structure work continued through winter and spring. The building structure "topped out" (reached its highest structural point) in summer and work now focuses on roofing and brick facade installation which should finish by early September. Other upcoming work includes installation of security infrastructure, IT cabling, and electrical service. Substantial completion of the project is anticipated for late 2013 and, following collections relocation, full operation of the facility will begin in early 2014.

January 2013
Design work on the building is finished and the project has received all required building permits. The site has been filled and graded and the entrance road construction will start in early February 2013. Foundation work has started and the structure work will continue throughout winter and spring of 2013. The building structure will be complete in early summer 2013, with substantial completion and occupation of the facility in fall 2013. Following collections relocation, full operation of the facility will begin in early 2014.

2012

November 2012
Design work on the building is finished and the project is in the building permit stage. Site preparation permits are in place and the site is being filled and graded. Foundation and structure work will continue throughout winter and spring of 2013. The building structure will be complete in early summer 2013, with substantial completion and occupation of the facility in fall 2013. Following collections relocation, full operation of the facility will begin in early 2014

Collections and Conservation Resource Center News

Conservation and Collections Resource Center Attracts Community
May 01, 2014

GW Community Invited for Sneak Peek of New Museum Facility
April 23, 2014

Progress Continues on New Museum Space
February 24, 2014

University Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Museum
October 22, 2012