Historic buildings get a much needed renovation

  • Published
  • By Ted Theopolos
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  "This building had a complete renovation," said John Hearn, construction representative for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Hearn was referring to building 12 in Area B, which was erected by the Quartermaster Corps U.S. Army in 1935.

The building, with the most elaborate example of 1930's Art Deco architecture, housed the Army Aeronautical Museum, the first military aviation museum in the country from 1935 to 1940.  After WWII the library section of the Air Documents Division translated and indexed captured documents detailing German aeronautical research and development in this building.

"We're over 90 percent complete with the construction renovations," said Hearn. "The project started in November of 2008. More than 22 different contractors worked on this project."

Although the building was gutted, about 105+ dumpsters were filled with recyclable items such as ceiling tiles, cardboard, copper and metal, which were all sent to the base recycling center. "The contractor Aztec/Butt Construction attempt to recycle as much as they can," said Hearn.

The former museum has two floors, with skylights constructed so that natural light could reach the first floor. The building also has crown molding and several detailed figures throughout the building. The rotunda was kept intact, with the existing fixtures and skylights restored.

"There were a multitude of challenges with this project," said Hearn. "One that stands out the most was doing all the renovations while maintaining the historic features of the building." Building 12 is the most architecturally significant historic building on Wright-Patt.

The building was updated throughout, to include the addition of new force protection measures. Because the building is close to Springfield Street, the glass windows and the walls are thicker than normal. The cost of renovating building 12 is $12.9 million. Building 17, the former Aircraft Radio t Lab, which is just up the street from building 12, was also getting a $5.5 million complete renovation. It was in this building that many initial air-to-air and air-to-surface communication problems were first solved. It was also here that the radio compass was developed.

Building 17 will house labs that are moving up from Brooks City Base under the BRAC realignment. The building has two air and ventilation systems and a chiller so labs can work year-round. Some of the rooms will have deionized water and air compressor connections. The building is equipped with special lighting and the vibrating room has thick cement floors. It even has a material elevator, the size of a small room, which can lift 4,500 lbs to the second floor, which will be used for storage.

"We're going to have renovations completed on both buildings by April 15, tax day," said Hearn.

Because of all the upgrades, the buildings will be submitted for Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Certification is given for upgrades that improve cost saving measures, such as better water efficiency, energy conservation such as natural lighting, utilizing recycled content materials during construction and improved indoor environmental air quality.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony later this spring to officially re-open the buildings for occupancy.