Project Details
- Project Name
- Exploratorium
- Location
- United States
- Project Types
- Cultural
- Project Scope
- Renovation/Remodel
- Year Completed
- 2013
- Awards
- 2014 AIA - Local Awards
- Shared by
- Door manufacturer
- Consultants
- Architectural Glass & Aluminum
- Certifications & Designations
- LEED Platinum
- Project Status
- Built
Project Description
The new Exploratorium at Pier 15 on the San Francisco waterfront features 14 custom balanced doors from Ellison Bronze, welcoming visitors to the museum of science, art and human perception.
Pier 15 is more than 80 years old – a landmarked structure that has been sustainably and historically rehabilitated. It serves as the museum’s new venue, providing three times more space than the original Palace of Fine Arts location, and bringing new life to the Embarcadero. The Exploratorium now comprises 330,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with hundreds of interactive exhibits.
The Ellison balanced doors are located at the lobby and museum entrances of the building. Three pairs of Ellison doors are situated at the lobby entrance, part of a two-story restored façade clad in stucco. The museum entrance contains four pairs of Ellison doors, coordinating with the paneled façade.
The Exploratorium was awarded LEED® Platinum certification and is pursuing the designation of the largest net-zero energy museum in the United States. The museum’s design incorporates a bay water heating and cooling system, rooftop photovoltaic arrays, rainwater collection, and high-performance windows and glass.