Award of Merit Renovation/Restoration: Smithsonian Institution Zoological Park Bird House Renewal Project

Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park Bird House Renewal Project

Washington, D.C.

Award of Merit

Submitted By: Grunley Construction Co.

Owner: Smithsonian Institution

Lead Design Firm: Quinn Evans Architects

General Contractor: Grunley Construction Co.

Historic Structural Architectural Engineer: 1200 Architectural Engineers

Subcontractors: Atlantic Refinishing & Restoration; Freestate Electrical Service Co.; Denver-Elek; Tammal Enterprises

Completed on time and on budget in December, the project involved the full renovation and restoration of the Bird House, one of the signature exhibits of the National Zoo. Major structural improvements and other renovations were made to the Great Flight Aviary and pedestrian bridge. A historic concrete arch at the entrance was restored and a new entrance was added. Extensive work on the exhibit grounds was also undertaken, including a bird-friendly landscape and stormwater bioretention areas.

The project team worked closely with zoo staff to ensure the safety of birds and animals in the area around the work. Some construction work was stopped and restarted based on the needs of various bird species.

A boiler was installed outside the flamingo enclosure pools, ensuring that even during cold winter days the pools would remain warm enough for the flamingos to swim there. Also challenging was renovation of the Great Flight Aviary. That work involved putting up scaffolding around the aviary’s six parabolic steel arches, replacing steel cables and installing new stainless steel netting to ensure that birds were not able to fly away. Another challenge arose during the removal of plaster from the Bird House walls. The team found the walls were so severely damaged that they could not be relied on to support the renovated structure. That discovery led to meticulous repair work and a reshuffling of the demolition schedule.