Feasibility Study

Towering seven stories above suburban Montgomery County, the Glencairn Museum is an institution dedicated to the history of religious art. Constructed as a private residence in 1939, it was later adapted to display its owners’ collection of nearly 8,000 sacred artifacts.

An IMEG 2017 feasibility study recommended replacing the original mechanical and electrical systems, and adding air conditioning and improved environmental control throughout the facility. After an extensive examination of phasing and constructability issues, a hybrid HVAC system incorporating a ground-coupled geo-thermal wellfield with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology was chosen, reducing the size of piping runs and minimizing water bearing piping above collections. High efficiency gas boilers supplement the VRF system.

The project involves most of this 65,000-sf building, with certain administrative and educational uses requiring uninterrupted operation. An enabling phase that replaced the electric service and installed the well field was completed in 2021.