November 2025
The initial scope of construction work on the Photo Archive Vault is completed: demolition, renovation, construction, and installation of major components (compactor shelving, walk-in freezer, and walk-in refrigerator).
Contractors are now engaged in post-construction refinements such as installing cart ramps and fire-protective skirting around the freezer area, readjusting mechanical systems, and installing/deinstalling light bars. Simultaneously, a new scope of work is developing for the vault’s dedicated air handler and the necessary ductwork (which will enable climate and humidity control), and also for the tying-in of electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems. The space cannot go “online” until this post-construction work is completed.
Planning for the Photo Archive Vault began in 2012. Fundraising began in 2016. Construction began in early 2024, after pandemic postponements, supply-chain delays, and strategic deferments in order to dovetail with the North Building's larger infrastructure renovation plans, which were indefinitely halted in the fall of 2024.
The success we have had in creating microclimates within the North Building in order to better the storage and research conditions for the pottery, perishables, and now, photo archives, is due to federal grants and private support. Our great thanks to all who supported this project!
August 2025
Walk-in freezer and refrigerator units are installed.
July 2024
Looking good!
June 2024
Compactor shelving units being installed, row by row.
May 2024
Supplies for compactor shelving units.
April 2025
The room has been painted and is now ready to receive compactor shelving units. Here you see the shelving units delivered to the building.
March 2025
Crews continue to make progress. The room will be painted soon.
December 2024
Crews have created holes in the ceiling of Room 328, creating a pathway for a crane to hoist debris out and equipment in.
Click on either the right or left side if each image to advance the slide show.
November 2024
Exhibit galleries have been converted into temporary holding spaces for collections that need to be moved out of the way of construction crews. Here Associate Curator Diane Dittemore is ensuring the safety of collections that would be in the "crash zone" of a crane that soon will be hoisting debris out of, and equipment into, the area being renovated for the new Photo Archive Multi-climate Suite.
Click on either the right or left side if each image to advance the slide show.
August 2024
R.W. Burkel Contracting begins and completes demolition of the mezzanine floor in Room 328.
Click on either the right or left side if each image to advance the slide show.
A view of the mezzanine floor in Room 328 before demolition.
A view of the mezzanine floor under demolition. You can see the lower level of the room through the square hole.
A view of the mezzanine floor in Room 328 currently before demolition.
A view of the mezzanine floor in Room 328 before demolition.
A view of the mezzanine floor in Room 328 currently under demolition.
The mezzanine floor is removed in room 328, showing the lower level below.
Room 328 during mezzanine floor demolition, showing the two levels of the room.
May 2024
Contractors make plans for the craning-in of compactor shelving systems and foundational equipment needed before the walk-in freezer and refrigerator systems can be installed. This will involve creating access holes through the roof or in the north exterior wall because there is no other way to get the equipment into the building and up to the third floor.
February 2024
With new fire suppression and electrical systems in place, deinstallation of the static shelving begins on the main level and on the mezzanine level of Room 328.
Click on either the right or left side if each image to advance the slide show.
A view of Room 328's lower level showing static metal shelving.
A view of Room 328's lower level showing static metal shelving.
A view of Room 328's lower level showing static metal shelving deinstallation.
New fire suppression and electrical systems for Room 328.
A view of Room 328's lower level showing static metal shelving before deinstallation.
Metal shelving taken outside the building after deinstallation.
View of the mezzanine level of room 328 before demolition.