So. . . we got the job.
The next two and a half months (mid-November through January) became a wild whirlwind of committee meetings, inquiries, design excursions, public meetings, and pedal-to-the-medal production of the deliverable products we had promised. The holidays didn’t help, and it didn’t help either that we were establishing an intense collaborative relationship with a firm we had never worked with before, and doing it under the gun.
But we got it done. We’re very proud of the products of this work. And pleased with the collaboration with the Museum staff and planning committee, and with Oudens Ello, the Boston firm with whom we partnered. Talented architect Ryan Bushey, the youngest SMCo owner, did a superb job leading our charge – pulling together complex programming information, working closely with our Boston team, and pulling a few late-nighters to get all the drawings done.
Is it the place where the museum will continue to tell the rich stories of the Vineyard’s past?
The intention of the study was to test the site’s appropriateness, to supply the museum’s board with the necessary information to make an informed decision about whether to purchase the property, and to provide materials for the museum to use in its fundraising efforts.
Is this the right place for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s combined exhibition, educational, research, and archival activities? Is it the place where the museum will continue to tell the rich stories of the Vineyard’s past, and is it the property to which it will tie its future?
We looked carefully at the museum’s programmatic needs and desires, and pared them down to the essential elements necessary for a truly exciting and functional facility.
We determined that the renovation of the 1895 Marine Hospital building – a cornerstone of MVM’s interest in the site – is feasible and highly desirable, and that many of MVM’s functions fit well within the confines of the (restored) building. In fact, the building, once restored, will become an essential “artifact” in the museum’s collection.
We determined that the site can accommodate the new spaces needed to complement the old, and it can be done in a way that respects and enhances the neighborhood, the property, and the existing building.
We determined that we can satisfy the original design objectives (see below) that we assembled with the museum’s staff and planning committee. We developed a preliminary cost estimate and outline specifications.
We considered some of the many ways this facility can have positive impacts on the community. And we met with a cross-section of abutters, members of town boards, and Martha’s Vineyard Commissioners to receive comments and feedback. The response was overwhelmingly positive. In our experience it is unprecedented to introduce a major project, which will bring significant change to a thickly settled neighborhood, and receive no negative reactions. This doesn’t mean there will be no negative reactions if the project moves forward, but we now know with certainty that there will be plenty of passionate support to offset any negative reactions that may arise.
We would love to connect this wonderful property to the town and the island.
As we came to the end of this work, we were (and are) of the opinion that this is a perfect fit – the St Pierre’s property is a superb location for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
The Museum extended its option for four months, through May, to test the fundraising waters and see if this $20 Million dollar project is feasible. We hope their findings are positive.
We would love:
- the opportunity to take this further.
- to connect this wonderful property to the town and the island.
- to conduct a deep energy retrofit to the existing building and, at the same time, restore it to its former magnificence.
- to design and build a beautiful new museum addition that, while achieving Vineyard-appropriate scale and detail, “implements state-of-the-art energy efficient design – that surpasses best current museum practice” (as our design objectives say) and which draws from current European museum experience, which we have learned is more advanced than American practices (as is often the case).
- to minimize the use of fossil fuels and maximize the site’s renewable energy generation capability.
- to treat this site with great respect, including implementation of a composting waste recovery system to keep nitrates out of Lagoon Pond.
- to design a complex that fully supports the mission of the MV Museum and becomes a community treasure that the people of the island will love and support.
We would love to do all these things. We hope to have the chance.
ben brungraber
hiho
more great material and tales.
so. you are tearing down the big bad masonry building?
bold thinking. it is a beast.
keep up the good work,
your fan,
NBN Ben
richard toole
Very impressive, represents a lot of hard work, good luck!
Peter Murkett
You know what silly thing (or not) caught my eye? The shaggy grass in the proposed View from Drive. I like to think I saw it as well in the Proposed Parking Court image, or were those wildflowers?
Of course in the View from Overlook that looks like a mighty trim lawn beyond the glass.
But maybe I am seeing something deliberate, that where the largest number of people will stroll, tamping down grass, a concession is made to trim, with its usual fossil fuel / obsessive neatness implications, but elsewhere not so much. Just a hope.
Jim Athearn
First impression; like the old building, not so much the new drawings. Are cedar shingles neccesary? Horizontal white trim? Interior space sterile, wasteful of space, modern.
Otherwise, I love the idea of using it for a museum and I think the community will embrace the idea, a real bonus for VH. We hope they will maintain the Cooke house in Edg., surely they will get as many visitors there as before in addition to the VH Museum and should not be hard to maintain a pared down, (focused?) exhibit there fro Edg. visitors.
Stephen Flickenschild
Nice work – keep it up!
jabrams
Thanks for all the kind words.
To Jim’s comment, above: The old building has cedar shingles on it now – it always has – but they are painted white. Originally, the building was as we propose to restore it – natural cedar shingles and white painted trim. If the project goes forward, there is likely to be a debate about the merits of scrapping the white trim (and historical accuracy) in favor of more sensible reclaimed cypress trim which requires no maintenance. Don’t know where that one will end up, but I for one would favor the natural wood.
As for the new, this is schematic and many refinements will be made in design development (again, if the project goes forward), but from the start we were clear about the goals for the new addition. We want to showcase the original iconic building and create a smart, modern museum addition that complements the old building without diminishing its importance. Thus the long, low massing, the absence of slavish re-production, and the attempt at Vineyard scale and detail. We haven’t nailed that yet; there’s a long way to go.
And yes, Jim, MVM does intent to keep, maintain, and operate the Cooke House in Edgartown.
Connie Willliams
I am so excited about this central location for the MV Museum, making good use of a space that could be developed in ways that would not benefit the public. I have followed the discussions over the past 4 or 5 years about building a museum in West Tisbury, possibly using the old Edgartown school, and so on. What a great solution this is! South Mountain’s commitment to the Vineyard and its inhabitants and focus on energy efficient building answers the Historical Society’s desire for a museum that will have space for its collection and room to grow. Great Work.
jabrams
Thanks so much, Connie. What’s needed now is for a serious fundraising campaign to gather steam, which is the focus of MVM at present. If you would like to help, or know anyone who might, please contact David Nathans, the executive director of the Museum, at MV Museum.
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