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Located in the Washington DC metro area at Fort Belvoir, VA, The National Museum of the US Army is the a five-story museum that will house exhibit spaces showcasing the history of the US Army. Other areas of the building are to include office space, public gathering spaces, retail space, a café, an IMAX theater, and outdoor public areas. The army museum is the first museum in the country fully dedicated to honoring those who have served in the United States Army and happens to be the last branch of the military to receive their own museum.

 

Analysis I: Geothermal Well System vs Heat Pump system

The exhibit hall of the museum uses a heat pump system with in-slab PEX tubing to condition the space. In an original design of the mechanical system for the space, a geothermal well system was to be constructed. This analysis will investigate the components of each system to develop cost estimates and schedules for this work. After evaluating these criteria, it will be determined which mechanical system is more beneficial to construction.

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Analysis II: Alternate Façade System

The museum utilizes a stainless-steel metal panel system for the exterior façade. Issues with logistics have hindered the schedule of this work. This analysis will investigate alternate façade materials and if they will be more beneficial to utilize.  The cost of each of these systems, the installation durations, and the lifecycle costs will be researched to determine if an alternate material should be used for the exterior façade of the building.

 

Analysis III: Coordination Efforts between GC and Additional Contractors

On the National Museum of the US Army project, the general contractor and the exhibit contractor have no contractual ties to each other but must coordinate work to allow for each contractor’s scope of work to be completed according to schedule. There have been issue coordinating turnover of exhibit spaces in the past. This analysis will investigate the means of coordinating between the contractors and develop a plan of more effective coordination for the future through a series of interviews and surveys.

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Analysis IV: Team Dynamics and Interactions

 In the industry research analysis, the interactions between members of a project team will be investigated.  Different job titles with different responsibilities are in charge of coordinating their work while also communicating effectively with others to provide a successful project. Through a series of interviews and surveys with project team members, a plan to assimilate project team members with one another will be developed to provide a well-rounded team atmosphere on construction projects.