Library of Congress – Packard Humanities Institute (410,000 total SF)

The National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) of the Library of Congress, represents a landmark project in the preservation of the nation’s heritage collections of moving images and recorded sounds

The project was divided into two phases:

Phase 1: The Collections Building and Central Plant.

Phase 2: The Conservation Building and Nitrate Vaults. The Conservation Building serves as the main office building, housing staff offices and preservation laboratories for film, sound, and video materials. The Nitrate Vaults, consisting of newly constructed individual vaults within two storage pods, meet the exacting requirements for storing nitrate motion picture film and other materials from the Library’s Prints & Photographs Division.

Cx services for both phases included similar mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as specialized requirements for nitrate storage and fire suppression systems.

Throughout both phases, Cx services were instrumental in ensuring the reliability, safety, and compliance of the NAVCC facility. From design review to functional testing and ongoing monitoring during the warranty phase, the involvement of commissioning professionals helped to identify and address any issues that arose, ultimately contributing to the successful completion and operation of this groundbreaking preservation center.