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Constructing a Concrete Addition

Construction of the Mercer Museum's new concrete addition.

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Constructing a Concrete Addition

Construction of the Mercer Museum's new concrete addition.

  • The design approach consisted of treating the addition as a series of landscaped walls that create a plinth to showcase the castle, rather than compete with the original building. A custom mix of local cement was used for the exterior walls and flooring of the museum.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF28%2Etmp_tcm45-972072.jpg

    The design approach consisted of treating the addition as a series of landscaped walls that create a plinth to showcase the castle, rather than compete with the original building. A custom mix of local cement was used for the exterior walls and flooring of the museum.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The design approach consisted of treating the addition as a series of landscaped walls that create a plinth to showcase the castle, rather than compete with the original building. A custom mix of local cement was used for the exterior walls and flooring of the museum.

  • The orientation of the addition meant there is no back of the building, as it is visible from both residential streets that face the museum. Access is provided from both the front of the historic museum and the new addition, to accommodate deliveries for events and changing exhibits.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF2C%2Etmp_tcm45-972080.jpg

    The orientation of the addition meant there is no back of the building, as it is visible from both residential streets that face the museum. Access is provided from both the front of the historic museum and the new addition, to accommodate deliveries for events and changing exhibits.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The orientation of the addition meant there is no back of the building, as it is visible from both residential streets that face the museum. Access is provided from both the front of the historic museum and the new addition, to accommodate deliveries for events and changing exhibits.

  • The new addition reorients the main building and provides a new grand entrance.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF2D%2Etmp_tcm45-972088.jpg

    The new addition reorients the main building and provides a new grand entrance.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The new addition reorients the main building and provides a new grand entrance.

  • The walls step back to help reduce the overall visual height of the building and provide views for the learning center and gallery.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF2E%2Etmp_tcm45-972096.jpg

    The walls step back to help reduce the overall visual height of the building and provide views for the learning center and gallery.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The walls step back to help reduce the overall visual height of the building and provide views for the learning center and gallery.

  • To ensure the new addition didn't compete with the historic museum, the height was kept to a minimum. The ceiling in the gallery is 16 ft. tall, with 2 ft. of space above for mechanical equipment.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF2F%2Etmp_tcm45-972104.jpg

    To ensure the new addition didn't compete with the historic museum, the height was kept to a minimum. The ceiling in the gallery is 16 ft. tall, with 2 ft. of space above for mechanical equipment.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    To ensure the new addition didn't compete with the historic museum, the height was kept to a minimum. The ceiling in the gallery is 16 ft. tall, with 2 ft. of space above for mechanical equipment.

  • Vertical lines on a decidedly horizontal addition complement the vertical element of the historic castle. Vinyl and lumber form liners were utilized for the poured-in-place concrete, combining modern and traditional techniques to create the same textural effect used by Henry Mercer on the original museum.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF30%2Etmp_tcm45-972112.jpg

    Vertical lines on a decidedly horizontal addition complement the vertical element of the historic castle. Vinyl and lumber form liners were utilized for the poured-in-place concrete, combining modern and traditional techniques to create the same textural effect used by Henry Mercer on the original museum.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    Vertical lines on a decidedly horizontal addition complement the vertical element of the historic castle. Vinyl and lumber form liners were utilized for the poured-in-place concrete, combining modern and traditional techniques to create the same textural effect used by Henry Mercer on the original museum.

  • The new Great Hall serves as open gift shop, point of sale for tickets, orientation, large catered events that can spill out to the terrace, access to the changing exhibition gallery, learning spaces, public amenities, and new access to the historic galleries.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF31%2Etmp_tcm45-972120.jpg

    The new Great Hall serves as open gift shop, point of sale for tickets, orientation, large catered events that can spill out to the terrace, access to the changing exhibition gallery, learning spaces, public amenities, and new access to the historic galleries.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The new Great Hall serves as open gift shop, point of sale for tickets, orientation, large catered events that can spill out to the terrace, access to the changing exhibition gallery, learning spaces, public amenities, and new access to the historic galleries.

  • The Learning Center functions both as a place for formal presentation as well as a hands-on learning environment for youngsters. Support spaces serve for material and chair storage and can be either open or closed from the main space.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF32%2Etmp_tcm45-972128.jpg

    The Learning Center functions both as a place for formal presentation as well as a hands-on learning environment for youngsters. Support spaces serve for material and chair storage and can be either open or closed from the main space.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The Learning Center functions both as a place for formal presentation as well as a hands-on learning environment for youngsters. Support spaces serve for material and chair storage and can be either open or closed from the main space.

  • Windows and glass skylights in the grand entry hall contrast with the castles heavy appearance, preparing the museum goers for the ascent up to the main space of the original castle.

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    Windows and glass skylights in the grand entry hall contrast with the castles heavy appearance, preparing the museum goers for the ascent up to the main space of the original castle.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    Windows and glass skylights in the grand entry hall contrast with the castle’s heavy appearance, preparing the museum goers for the ascent up to the main space of the original castle.

  • The concrete floors were finished with a natural process, RetroPlate, which uses no solvents or VOCs.

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    The concrete floors were finished with a natural process, RetroPlate, which uses no solvents or VOCs.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    The concrete floors were finished with a natural process, RetroPlate, which uses no solvents or VOCs.

  • Built 16 ft. belowground of the original museum, the addition connects the two buildings via a grand stair made from concrete. This space doubles as a waiting area for groups of school children.

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/Images/tmpF50%2Etmp_tcm45-972365.jpg

    Built 16 ft. belowground of the original museum, the addition connects the two buildings via a grand stair made from concrete. This space doubles as a waiting area for groups of school children.

    600

    Jeffrey Totaro

    Built 16 ft. belowground of the original museum, the addition connects the two buildings via a grand stair made from concrete. This space doubles as a waiting area for groups of school children.

A new contemporary addition, which features cast-in-place reinforced concrete walls, was recently completed at the historic Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pa. Philadelphia-based Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) designed the 13,000-sq.-ft. addition that provides flexible venues for traveling exhibitions, interactive programs for children, and educational spaces.

Mercer Castle was built by Henry Mercer in 1916 to showcase his collection of early American artifacts. Many of the artifacts are made of wood, so the historic castle was made of concrete to protect the collection in the event of a fire. VMA chose to use cast-in-place reinforced concrete as the new addition’s primary building material to match the existing structure. VMA worked with Bazella Group, Allentown, Pa., to replicate the cast-in-place reinforced concrete wall technique using modern technology, including formliners made from rubber imported from Europe and rough sawn lumber from Amish country. Delaware Valley Concrete Co. Inc., Hatboro, Pa., supplied the 4000-psi air-entrained special cement blend. The concrete was made using a cutom tint of Lehigh cement and pozzolan at a 0.45 w/c ratio. The walls required 625 total cubic yards of concrete, 461 cubic yards for the exterior walls, and 164 cubic yards for the retaining walls.

The Bucks County Historical Society commissioned the design and construction of the addition to expand the exhibition and programming capabilities. The new addition reorients the main building entry and parking lot, serves as an event venue and orientation space, and takes advantage of the gradually sloping grade to create an inviting entry plaza leading to the new main entrance.

Built partially underground, 16 feet below the original museum’s ground floor, the addition connects the two buildings with a grand staircase that doubles as a waiting area. Windows and glass skylights in the grand entry hall soften the castle’s heavy appearance by framing views of the historical structure.

Extensive sitework was required for new pedestrian and vehicular access, drop off, service, and expanded parking facilities. The site’s steep slope challenges were solved with a series of retaining walls, steps, and gently sloping grade changes.

Various sustainable features were incorporated into the design as part of the comprehensive stormwater management plan. These include a green roof, pervious paving, a rain garden, and native plantings throughout. The green roof is an important feature of the building as it is the primary view of the new addition from the existing building and the northernmost corner of the site. Use of the existing rooms on the ground floor helped to reduce the new construction footprint, allowing the museum to capture a dramatic outdoor courtyard surrounded by a panoramic view of the original concrete structure and the new addition.

The Mercer Museum addition provides a flexible framework for traveling exhibits and the opportunity to present the museum’s existing collections in a new light.

Daniela Holt Voith, AIA, LEED AP, IIDA, is Partner in Charge for Voith & Mactavish Architects.