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Designs revealed for Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut

$90 Million Needed

Designs revealed for Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut

Boston-based firm Payette has unveiled its design for the National Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut. The proposal put forward sees four stories rise up along the water’s edge next to the historic H.H. Richardson–designed Union Station. Initial proposals (for which there are no renderings available) had the museum located over the water.

Instead, the building will rest on piles and feature a glass curtain wall that comprises the whole waterfront facade, facilitating views across the harbor. According to The Day, interactive exhibits would also be available as part of the building’s frontage to establish a connection between the museum and shoreline area. Ideas for a “bridge simulator” and way of listening to dialogue between ferry captains over radio traffic were discussed at a meeting on Monday where the design was revealed.

“These are design concepts that are likely to change dramatically over the course of the next year, year-and-half, two years as we design this building,” said Principal at Payette, Charles Klee. Klee also said that much work had been done to ensure the Federal Emergency Management, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Army Corps of Engineers were happy with the plans.

The museum is due to rest on a plot of land designated as a “100-year flood zone” (due to having a one percent chance of flooding every year). Most of the site is also located in an area where land is susceptible to high-velocity wave impact. Thanks to the historic and significant artifacts set to be housed in the building, the museum is reportedly working on ensuring that the approximately 80,000 square foot building inhabits a 500-year flood zone.

The museum also faces funding issues. $9 million of the $100 million target has so far been raised with private funds.


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