海角视频

What happens when cutting-edge engineering meets a century-old art institution? The result is a bold reimagining of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum – an iconic space reborn for the 21st century.

We sat down with Astrid Sardinas, Associate at 海角视频, to explore how the firm partnered with and to breathe new life into one of America鈥檚 oldest public art museums. From integrating state-of-the-art sustainability systems to creating flexible, community-driven spaces, discover the behind-the-scenes challenges and innovations that shaped this landmark transformation.

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s AK360 project, as it鈥檚 known, was driven by two primary goals: to double the museum鈥檚 exhibition space and to create a more inclusive, accessible environment for the Buffalo community. The centerpiece of the expansion is the new Jeffrey E. Gundlach Building – a striking 29,000ft2 structure that houses three levels of gallery space, allowing the museum to showcase more of its world-class collection than ever before.

But the project goes far beyond gallery walls. It includes flexible event spaces, educational classrooms, and public areas like the Town Square and sculpture gardens. These additions are designed to foster year-round engagement and make the museum a true cultural hub for Western New York.

海角视频鈥檚 contributions were critical to bringing this vision to life, providing a comprehensive suite of services, including MEPFP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection) engineering, IT/AV systems, security, and sustainability consulting. The team’s work ensured that the museum鈥檚 infrastructure could support both the delicate needs of priceless artworks and the dynamic demands of public programming.

Tell us about the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s AK360 project. How does the new 29,000ft2 Gundlach Building contribute to the museum鈥檚 overall mission and vision?

Astrid: The Gundlach Building plays a central role in the museum鈥檚 expansion. It houses all of the additional exhibition space – approximately 30,000ft2 of new galleries – which supports the museum鈥檚 core mission of showcasing more of its collection. In addition to the galleries, it includes the sculpture terrace which serves as a flexible event space for the museum. The building also accommodates office space for museum staff.

One of the most successful aspects of the Gundlach Building鈥檚 design is how it balances being a distinct, modern addition while remaining respectful of the historic architecture on campus. The architects did a remarkable job of creating a structure that can stand on its own yet harmonizes beautifully with the existing buildings.

What were the biggest challenges in integrating modern MEP systems into the existing and new museum buildings? What strategies were used to ensure energy efficiency and sustainable design?

Astrid: This project was a combination of the renovation of existing historic buildings and the expansion of the museum with new construction. One of the key challenges in working with the historic structures was maintaining sensitivity to their architectural character. Any new building systems had to be as invisible as possible to preserve the integrity of the original design.

For instance, the Town Square was originally an exterior area. To convert it into a usable indoor space, we had to install a new HVAC system without disrupting the existing ceiling heights or introducing visible components that would interfere with the historic silhouette. The solution was an underground air distribution system: air is supplied from below grade and discreetly returned at high level along the perimeter. It鈥檚 a great example of how carefully coordinated MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems were integrated into the historic fabric.

In the new Gundlach Building, we had more flexibility, but the same design principles applied. Gallery spaces are meant to be blank canvases that allow the artwork to take center stage. That meant minimizing visible services and reducing the number of access panels. We strategically designed the systems so that most maintenance access is located in the basement鈥攂ack-of-house areas that are out of public view鈥攅nsuring the visitor experience remains uninterrupted.

The fire protection system is cleverly integrated. The sprinkler piping is built into the mullions of the terrace, making it almost invisible. That required a lot of coordination, but it was definitely worth the effort.

When it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability, the project incorporated several thoughtful features. There鈥檚 always a bit of tension between energy efficiency and art conservation, since artwork requires very strict environmental controls鈥攖ight temperature and humidity ranges must be maintained. Still, we implemented sustainable systems wherever possible.

For example, we used radiant flooring in spaces that are not directly above galleries, such as portions of the sculpture terrace in the Gundlach Building and the Town Square. These areas have extensive glazing, which can lead to discomfort from solar heat gain. Radiant flooring helps regulate the mean radiant temperature, improving comfort during periods of direct sunlight. However, we were careful not to run hydronic piping over gallery spaces, as pressurized systems pose a risk to the artwork in the event of a leak.

Another important aspect was thermal comfort in glazed areas. While we weren鈥檛 the facade designers, we conducted CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis to evaluate thermal conditions in the sculpture terrace, the fire protection system is cleverly integrated as well. This helped inform the performance requirements for the glazing. The final glass selection strikes a balance between high thermal performance and the aesthetic goals of the architects, maintaining transparency while ensuring occupant comfort.

What specific strategies were used to protect the museum鈥檚 priceless artworks during the renovation and expansion? Can you explain the role of high-performance HVAC systems in maintaining the safety and integrity of the art?

Astrid: A key part of this project involved working closely with the museum to fully understand the conservation requirements for their collection. We also conducted extensive research into best practices for art conservation. Since the museum frequently exhibits loaned artwork, it had to comply with the strict environmental conditions outlined in loan agreements. These typically require maintaining temperatures around 70掳F, with tolerances as tight as 卤2掳F, and relative humidity within 卤5% – which is quite demanding from an HVAC perspective.

From the outset, we knew the building systems had to be capable of meeting these stringent standards, even in galleries that might not always house loaned pieces. The goal was to give the museum the flexibility to meet those conditions across all exhibition spaces.

To achieve this, we were very deliberate in how we zoned the galleries – grouping spaces with similar exposures together – and we selected humidification equipment capable of maintaining those tight tolerances. As I mentioned earlier, we also opted for all-air systems in the galleries to avoid running any pressurized piping near the artwork, minimizing risk.

Another important sustainability feature is the inclusion of a heat recovery chiller in the building鈥檚 central plant. This system allows for energy recovery when there are simultaneous heating and cooling demands. For example, during peak summer conditions, the building might require significant cooling and dehumidification. In such cases, the air is often overcooled to remove moisture and then reheated to reach the desired temperature. The heat recovery chiller captures waste heat from the cooling process and uses it to generate hot water for reheating – improving energy efficiency without compromising comfort or conservation standards. This strategy, implemented on the hydronic side of the system, is just one of several ways the project balanced high-performance environmental control with sustainability and conservation goals.

How did the integration of new architecture enhance the museum’s ability to serve the community?

Astrid: One of the most interesting features of this renovation project is how they transformed an existing courtyard into a fully enclosed event space. This area – now known as the Town Square – was reimagined in collaboration with Studio Other Spaces, who designed a stunning enclosure called Common Sky. The structure itself is like an art installation: a beautiful steel canopy that funnels down to a single point in the center of the courtyard, evoking the memory of a tree that once stood there. It鈥檚 a poetic blend of form and function.

The enclosure allows the space to be used year-round – which is especially important in Buffalo, where winters can be long and harsh. By enclosing the courtyard, they were able to activate it as a multifunctional venue for events while still keeping it open to the public with free admission. It鈥檚 located between two of the museum鈥檚 original buildings, effectively connecting the campus and creating a more unified experience providing an access pathway to nearby Delaware Park.

This is a great example of how architecture was used to engage the community and make the museum more inclusive. They also reprogrammed some of the existing gallery spaces into classrooms, which are now used for school visits and community art classes.

The new Gundlach Building adds even more to the campus. In addition to expanded gallery and exhibition space, it includes a large area that was referred to during the design phase as the 鈥渟culpture terrace.鈥� This space functions as a hybrid caf茅, lobby, and sculpture terrace during regular hours, but it was also designed to accommodate events.

While the primary goal of the project was to expand gallery space, additional programming enhancements were thoughtfully introduced to better meet the evolving needs of the community.

Another notable change: what was once a surface parking lot has been replaced with an underground parking garage. The area above it has been replanted and turned into a large green lawn, adding even more green space to the site.

Community engagement

A particularly elegant feature is the bridge that connects the Gundlach Building to the original Wilmer’s building. This winding path curves gently through the existing trees, creating a thoughtful and seamless connection between the old and the new. It鈥檚 a great example of how the design integrates the natural landscape with the built environment, enhancing both accessibility and the overall visitor experience.

There was a clear intentionality behind the expansion – to grow the museum鈥檚 footprint while remaining respectful of the historic character of the existing buildings. The Gundlach Building embodies this balance beautifully. It introduces a bold new presence on the campus, yet it complements and honors the architectural legacy of the site, providing constant views of the historic buildings on campus.

As for public engagement, many of the new educational spaces are located in the Knox building. That鈥檚 where some of the former gallery areas were reprogrammed into classrooms. This transformation was made possible by the Gundlach Building, which provided the additional gallery space needed to free up those areas for educational use.

In this way, the expansion didn鈥檛 just add square footage – it enabled a rethinking of how the museum serves its community, creating more inclusive and accessible spaces for learning and engagement.

What were the key considerations in designing the flexible event spaces and public areas?

Astrid: My understanding is that one of the key considerations for the project was creating a space that feels inclusive and welcoming to the community. It was also important to be mindful of the site鈥檚 location within the broader context of the city – especially being right next to Delaware Park.

The Common Sky artwork in the Town Square is a great example of how the design marries functionality with symbolism. It blends the practical use of the space for events with the natural imagery of trees and the surrounding environment, creating a thoughtful connection to the site.

Overall, we had to design all the systems with flexibility in mind – ensuring they function well during regular museum hours with lower occupancy, as well as during large-scale events like galas, when the space might be filled with hundreds of people.

How does the expansion reflect the museum’s vision for the future and its commitment to the surrounding community?

Astrid: The expansion project did a great job of achieving two of its main goals. First, expanding the amount of gallery space so more of the museum鈥檚 collection can be showcased at any given time; and second, creating new spaces for additional types of programming – like educational areas and event spaces that directly benefit the community.

For example, the Town Square is now used for a variety of events. The museum also hosts art classes in its classrooms. A big part of their mission is to make the museum more accessible and to foster a space where art and creativity are available to everyone. It really feels like they鈥檝e accomplished that through the renovation and expansion.

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum鈥檚 transformation is more than a renovation – it鈥檚 a reimagining of what a museum can be in the 21st century. With 海角视频鈥檚 expertise guiding the technical backbone of the project, the museum now stands as a model for how cultural institutions can evolve to meet the needs of both art and community.