RWDI has assisted designers of such facilities all over the world.  Because many of these facilities are large, they can benefit from the same kinds of studies associated with convention centers, sports facilities, and airports.  Artifacts and works of art are sensitive to external sources of vibration. 

Thermal Comfort

Cooling large spaces can be a challenge, especially sun-filled glazed atria or courtyards. RWDI can assess this impact and help mitigate problems affecting the comfort of the guests.

Pedestrian Comfort

The design of a museum or art gallery can influence wind activity, thereby impacting safety and the quality of the environment for pedestrians.  Wind breaks, screens, and minor modifications to buildings can improve wind conditions.

Sun / Shade Impacts

Outdoor facilities can be affected by shadow patterns created by the facility or its neighbors, while solar glare from reflective surfaces can impact some activities.

Air Quality / Ventilation

Air quality impacts from outdoor sources such as parking facilities, local traffic, loading docks, and diesel generators must be taken into account when designing fresh air intakes. Correct design of interior ventilation systems in terms of temperature and air flow is important for operation of air conditioning and heating systems and conservation of collections.  

Fire Safety

Fire safety and smoke control are important issues in the design of public buildings.  In the event of a fire, the ventilation system must be designed to ensure safe escape paths and minimize property damage.  Large spaces such as atria are an important design consideration.

Noise / Acoustics / Vibration

Museums and art galleries provide a wide variety of spaces where acoustical design is required to ensure optimal reception of speech or music. In other cases, transfer of sound must be restricted to avoid a noisy, busy atmosphere.  Vibration during construction can impact sensitive artifacts.  Monitoring can provide accurate confirmation about impacts.  Vibration isolation techniques can be applied through reducing risk.

Cladding / Structural Loads

Roofs and walls of major structures require accurate information for the design of the building's structural and curtain-wall systems.

Snow and Ice

Accumulations of snow and ice on roofs or snowdrifts around buildings can lead to structural failures or blocked access or even increased maintenance. Studies designed to identify such impacts can assist designers in mitigating these conditions.