The McWane Science Center
Location: Birmingham, Alabama The McWane Science Center is a state-of-the art, hands-on science and technology museum and theater located in downtown Birmingham. The facility features the John Woods 290-seat IMAX® Dome Theater. Construction of the project began in February 1996 and was open to the public in July 1998. The project included analysis of fire- damaged concrete framing, increase in floor loadings, and many modifications to existing framing. Construction consisted of three phases: renovation of the 60-year old, abandoned Loveman’s department store into a facility to house exhibits; demolition of a building to make room for a new museum/theater complex; and the renovation of an adjacent existing concrete-framed, 360-space parking deck to serve the museum. The museum/theater complex consists of a 2-story structure used for offices, lobby space, and exhibits, and a 4-story circular structure that houses the IMAX® Dome Theater. The 2-story structure was designed to support a future rain forest. |
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Location: Birmingham, Alabama Sloss Furnaces is one of the oldest pig iron producing plants in America with some structures dating back to 1880. The furnaces were shut down in the 1970′s and the facility was soon recognized as a museum on the National Historic Landmark Registry. Restoration and stabilization projects continue for Sloss Furnaces. In the past 20 years, LBYD has worked on 12 different projects involving 15 different structures. The work includes identifying structural repairs, specifying new painting systems to protect and preserve the structures on-site, designing new elevated walkways that utilize the existing structures while preserving the historical significance of the site. LBYD has also been involved in helping to develop a long-term plan that identifies repair and preservation work to maintain the stability of the structures. |
