The USS Intrepid is a de-commissioned World War II era aircraft carrier with National Historic Landmark designation serving as a Sea, Air and Space Museum docked at Pier 86 on the Hudson River. Added to the ship was the new $8.5 million Michael Tyler Fisher Center for Education, a three-level state-of-the-art conference center and educational facility totaling approximately 18,000 sq. ft. The main conference center consists of a 4,000 sq. ft. floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed space with panoramic views of the Hudson River. The rotunda entrance/memorial space is finished with patterned terrazzo flooring, aluminum leaf ceilings and curved frosted glass panels. Included in the project was the replacement of two elevator decks (elevators totaled 5,000 sq. ft. used for airplane transport between decks) and expansion of the ship’s fire suppression system. The Museum and event facilities remained open for peak summer tourist season during construction.

Project Highlights:

Schedule – Completed in six months to meet client’s commitment to host portions of the Republican National Convention in the new event space.

Glass Installation – Curtain wall spanning the width of the ship required demolition of the shipbuilder's steel and construction of new structural steel. Ship’s steel was susceptible to expansion and contraction, especially during extreme temperatures of winter and summer. Monitoring of ship’s continuous rise, fall, and listing ensured proper glass installation. Custom expansion/control joint for glass curtain wall was developed.

Awards – Project of the Year award from both the National Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the local NY/NJ CMAA Chapter.