For $365M, the Air and Space Museum Will Get a New Look

After almost 40 years since it opened, the National Air and Space Museum is in dire need of a total renovation. Some of the main issues with the building include that its main roof and HVAC system are failing, its glass curtain wall allows too much UV radiation, and its security queuing can't keep up with the number of visitors every year. Washington Business Journal had the scoop on what to expect from the $365 million renovation that is expected to take six years. The Tennessee marble facade will be removed and replaced with new panels that will be a little more than one-and-a-half inches thicker than the current ones. For the second time in 15 years, the glass curtain wall glazing will also be replaced with triple glazed, thermally broken panels with an aluminum frame and internal steel reinforcement for blast resistance, as reported by the Washington Business Journal. The renovations will also come with 1,300, 345-watt solar panels across the roof, winglike vestibules over the two main entrances, and a "solar wall energy harvesting" system on the Independence Avenue side of the museum. The National Capital Planning Commission will see the renovation's concept plans for initial review on July 9. The renovation is expected to begin 2018.

· The Air and Space Museum is falling apart. We've got the details on the $365M fix. [Washington Business Journal]