Industry News

The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum, housed in the Old Patent Office Building in Washington, is undergoing a $211 million renovation. Slated for completion in 2006, the facility has been closed and under construction since January 2000. Including physical plant renewal and extensive exterior and interior work, the project will add a conservation lab and a gilding frame shop, both visible to the public, as well as a 346-seat below-grade auditorium.

The Coca-Cola Corp. and The Marcus Foundation, developer of the new Georgia Aquarium, have selected The Jerde Partnership International of Los Angeles to create the master site plan for the new 20-acre Atlanta site to house the World Of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. The Jerde Partnership will work with Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, the architects for the Georgia Aquarium, on the design of the interactive Coca-Cola museum.

The General Services Administration's National Capital Region has selected architectural/engineering firm HNTB to design the $81.7-million renovation of the Mary E. Switzer Memorial Building in Washington.

Aviation Institute of Maintenance has relocated to a $2-million, 16,000-sf facility constructed for the school by Turner Construction at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport.  Formerly known as the Quaker City Institute of Aviation, the school moved to its new location from South Philadelphia.

National Surgical Hospitals (NSH) opened the 30-bed Spine Hospital of South Texas and an accompanying medical office building in September. A joint venture of NSH and approximately 20 local physicians, the $30-million Stone Oak medical development will specialize in surgical spine care and pain management. The facility is designed to eventually expand to 40 rooms.