HISTORICAL SOCIETIES & MUSEUMS
Celebrate your story with improved access & simple yet deliberate design.
Are you wondering if Pasque Architecture can help?
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Historic buildings are worth preserving. They add character to our communities and carry the stories that define our culture.
Maintenance of historic buildings can be costly and complicated. Pasque performs a building assessment to prioritize upcoming work. Pasque will recommend immediate, high, medium, and low priority elements and work with prospective general contractors to offer cost estimates of each work item. This approach helps mitigate immediate concerns within the building while planning for future maintenance work.
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Remodeling existing buildings comes with many challenges and unforeseen costs. Pasque’s experience with existing and historic buildings can guide you through the process.
Every remodel starts with the big questions:
What does your organization need?
Is this the right building for you?
How will this remodel align with your vision?
Pasque facilitates meetings with project stakeholders. Everyone is invited to comment on current hurdles or challenges that may be addressed in a remodel. It is an opportunity to step back and create a wholistic vision for your organization. During the process, Pasque asks questions to clarify the priorities and needs when moving forward.
Next Pasque responds with design options within the existing building to determine if it is the right building for your needs.
During the design process, Pasque leverages 3D modeling to help your stakeholder clearly see the impact this remodel will make on your organization. Pasque walks you through each stage of design, bidding, and construction as your vision for your organization becomes a reality.
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Whether it’s a refresh, remodel or new construction - Pasque Architecture provides simple, functional design that tells your story.
Museums offer a unique opportunity to immerse visitors in an experience:
Historic properties that are doorways into the past to learn about the lives of people (like the Robinson-Stanton House Museum)
Galleries with dedicated displays of unique topics or collections (like the Mustard Museum)
Memorials to remember when humanity has been tested, often at the cost of people’s lives (like the Vietnam Memorial)
Industry or company timelines that honor the founders and workers who established name brands of foods or products (like the SPAM Museum)
Oddities that make us wonder about life (like the World’s Largest Candy Store)
Children’s museums that excite the imagination and encourage curiosity (like the Butterfly Museum)
So many more museums exist and explore everything from art to nature to scientific discoveries. Although Pasque Architecture has only worked on a few examples, our team will fulfill your organizations needs with purpose and clarity. We bring high end architecture to Greater Minnesota and the Midwest Region. Our team comes to you to learn your story and tell it through the architecture of your Museum.
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Pasque Architecture specializes in the complexities of Assembly Spaces and the many needs that arise when hosting the public. No matter the scale, Pasque helps you navigate the visionary space down to the restroom count. We have walked many aspiring venue owners through the process.
Sometimes it is too expensive or infeasible to remodel an existing building into the gathering space our clients envision. We meet with your team to identify those barriers as early in the process as possible. If you are looking at multiple locations, we can nimbly adjust the design to test each space for your unique needs until you find the building that furthers your mission.
Design Process
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Working with the Project Team, on-site observations, and research - Pasque Architecture started the project by gathering the following information:
Historic Documentation (Drawings/Photos/Descriptions)
Surface Assessment of Existing Building Structure
Identify Phasing of Existing Construction
Locate impacted Building Systems
Photograph Existing Conditions
Measure Existing Building
Draft 3D Virtual Model
Transitioning to a house museum presents many unique opportunities (and some challenges) to inhabit history. Pasque Architecture is working with the BCHS Building Committee and team of local professionals on Phase 1 of the project.
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The project kicks-off with a summary of project goals, a collection of information to date and an open exploration of possible design options for interpreting the Robinson-Stanton House.
The existing Benton County Historical Society building includes a 45’ x 50’ exhibit area that doubles as the break room, asset intake and processing, and displays all collections. Pasque Architecture led a meeting with the Museum Director and Staff to determine the long term use of the Robinson-Stanton Residence. The workshop created an outline to align Phase 1 work with future projects. Our team discussed opportunities for change and identified the most important qualities of the BCHS using our Pre-Design Workshop: Visioning Worksheet. Download this two-page pdf: Pre-Design Worksheet.
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After setting project goals, Pasque Architecture proceeded to examine, measure, photograph, research, investigate, confirm, and draft building systems.
Using a thermal imaging camera - our team located existing building systems such as the hot water radiator system. We were able to identify which pipes were active versus pipes connected to the third non-functional boiler. Modern tools are non-invasive and provide necessary information without destructive investigation. When working with historic properties - the materials of the building are integral to the history.
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A strong understanding of existing conditions needs to be paired with equally clear drawings and details. Pasque prioritizes simple, functional design using cost effective standard products that highlight the museum exhibits and historic residence. Final paint analysis & non-invasive investigations will complete the construction document drawings and specifications for bidding and permitting.
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When it the scope of work is clearly outlined in the Construction Documents - our team will assemble, distribute, and evaluate bids for completing the scope of work for contractors to provide pricing for.
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Pasque Architecture proposes visiting the project site every other week, on average. This schedule can be adjusted to align with major construction efforts or unforeseen conditions. Pasque’s services in this proposal conclude with the review of the Contractor’s final payment. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you!
Museum Design Considerations
Future activities and events
Identify user groups and needs
Accommodate needs of museum staff activities
Simplify accessible circulation
Shape the Path for Visitor Experience
Conceal Vents - condition to Preserve Artifacts
Recess Lighting - low to Preserve Fabrics/Paper
Preservation Era Switches/Fixtures
Adequate concealed Power & Data
Flexible gallery hardware for changing exhibits
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
ONGOING MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
Moving into your building is the start of the journey.
Maintaining a historic building requires regular check-ups to identify areas that are changing or deteriorating beyond expectations. Call Pasque right away to avoid unrepairable damage to your historic resource.
PRESENTATION MATERIALS
From brochures to phasing videos,
Pasque can provide visuals that tell the story of your project. The floor plan below was created for a brochure available at the museum for visitors who want to learn more about the recent rehabilitation. It’s important to share the story of the changes made to this historic house over the years.
DISPLAY DESIGN
Combine historic discoveries with custom casework and displays that accentuate the historic resources and integrate into your historic building.
The stained glass window above was adapted from a historic photo of the quarry where the Robinson-Stanton’s granite walls was original sourced by the homeowner, Quarry Master Robinson.