ArchWing National Soaring Museum

Project idea

This project will involve the design of a new interpretive exhibit complex on a site on Harris Hill in Elmira, New York. The purpose of the interpretive center will be to provide a new facility for the collection of the National Soaring Museum, which is currently located in an existing building on the site.

Design and documentation of an interpretive center that will appropriately house and display a collection of artifacts and exhibits on a site is heralded as a premier location in North America for the flying of gliders.

Project Program: In order to accomplish the above, the new facility will provide spaces for:
- The permanent exhibition of both small and large artifacts
- Changing exhibit space(s) that are flexible
- Area for the storage and conservation of artifacts
- Administrative / support functions
- Educational program space(s)
- Meeting rooms of various sizes
- Visitor orientation space, with the ability to accommodate up to 50 visitors for a presentation
- Public amenities including a gift shop, café, toilet rooms, etc.
- Site development that will accommodate the exterior display of artifacts, visitor parking and
circulation, and access for staff, deliveries, etc.

Project description

The ArchWing Soaring Museum located in Elmira NY, symbolizes the form of a glider, gliders are completely curved in form, creating a museum for these gliders that is also completely curved brings out the unique shape of a glider. From an outside look, the building also resembles arching wings as well as an arched wing in plan, this play on form helps depict a singular curved form and the qualities of a glider.

The total gross square footage is 131,341SF, The Glider exhibit, the primary exhibit space takes a large part of the square footage (44,987SF) this exhibit has 3 catwalks which helps get a better view of all the gliders above, this exhibit holds 42 gliders which is what the national soaring museum in Elmira, NY currently holds, this includes gliders in their exhibit and collection. The square footage also heavily lies on the below grade parking system (34,143SF) that helps remove required parking above grade, this removes additional pavement to the site and creates an entrance with more space for vegetation, seating, and decor. The Predecessor exhibit is the secondary exhibit space (26,448SF) consists of a first and second floor exhibit space which includes predecessor gliders for example the wright brothers first design of a glider in 1903.

Light comes into both exhibits through Kalwall sky lights during the day and spotlights at night, additionally the Predecessor exhibit includes a curtain wall glazing on the first and second level that bring in light as well as show the view of the outlook over the hillside. 2B Steel construction is used to hold up the building and allow for the unique curvature, additionally GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) is used on the exterior walls of the facade to help form the curvature as well.

The ArchWing Soaring Museum creates space that uses the characteristics of gliders in form and creates a unique space for visitors inside and out.

Technical information

- Type II B Steel Construction (Noncombustible)
- Areas of Building (Gross): 131,341 SQFT
- Number of Floors/Catwalks: 2 Floor, 3 Catwalks
- Area of First Floor (Gross): 52,871 SQFT
- Area of Second Floor (Gross): 10,742 SQFT
- Area of Basement (Gross): 53,656 SQFT
- Occupancy Classification: Assembly-3
- Required Parking: 438 Spots, 20 Required to be ADA Accessible
- (two required van accessible parking spot)
- (Requested Code Variance for 105 parking spaces instead)