Since 2012, the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum (ISASM) has been home to the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the first space shuttle prototype built in 1976. Now part of the museum’s permanent exhibit, the craft sits atop the flight deck in the Space Shuttle Pavilion where visitors can view the equipment and technology firsthand. The 65-ft. high Pavilion is surrounded by exhibits documenting the space shuttle program’s exploits in through images, text and video experiences.

Collado provided the HVAC, electrical and fire alarm system design for the Pavilion. The volume of the space tasked the engineers with maintaining comfort cooling and heating at the occupied portion of the facility. The electrical design had to be meticulously coordinated with flexible lighting design to accommodate daily exhibit space requirements, educational requirements for visiting groups, and evening events and functions.

Application of NYC Building Codes to a vessel—essentially a floating museum—presented unique challenges in the Space Shuttle Enterprise project, as well as in the various fire protection projects undertaken both on board the Intrepid and on the Pier.