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Local Voices

East Gallery Project at Grounds For Sculpture Recognized for Achievement by ACEC/NJ

Pennoni Associates, an ENR Top 100 engineering, design, and consulting firm, has received a Distinguished Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies’ New Jersey Chapter for its work on the East Gallery at Grounds For Sculpture in Trenton. This award was given at the annual Engineering Excellence Awards dinner at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey.

As a part of a multi-phased vision to transform the J. Seward Johnson Center for the Arts into the centerpiece at the 42-acre Grounds For Sculpture park, the nonprofit organization was looking to convert an old warehouse into a multi-purpose gallery space to be used for art exhibits and shows, lectures, concerts, and special events. Founded in 1992, Grounds For Sculpture was intended to be a venue dedicated to promoting an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture. The new facility on the grounds, to be called the East Gallery, was an important part of the nonprofit’s goal for development and continued promotion of its mission.

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Pennoni Associates was challenged with performing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design engineering for the renovation of approximately 12,000 SF of existing warehouse space. The plan for the renovation included exhibit and event space areas for a mobile stage, lobby, new exterior entryways, storage, and ticket sales which are used for art exhibits and shows, lectures, concerts, and special events. The renovated facility also included a new commercial kitchen, new toilet rooms, and a new mechanical/electrical room located on a mezzanine level. The unique challenge of this project was matching the MEP requirements to the many different functions the facility needed to serve, be it a certain temperature to maintain the integrity of the art, lighting and sound for a concert, or kitchen and restroom requirements for a large event.

The challenge to adapt MEP requirements to service the needs of the facility was met and the project was completed on deadline. Grounds For Sculpture now has a stunning multiuse structure that will attract more people to the park and shine light on the art the venue was meant to highlight.

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