The Museum of Science and Industry is an icon on Chicago’s lakefront. A landmark building, it was originally constructed as the Palace of Fine Arts for the World’s Fair in 1893, and reconstructed in the 1930’s as a showcase of science and technology.
HPZS has been involved as a Prime Architect for countless projects since 1988 through today, including a complete deferred maintenance audit of all the building systems and equipment, master planning, restoration of the copper roofs, ornamental elements, skylights, bronze entrance doors, limestone walls, feasibility studies for multiple exhibits, structural and architectural design services. HPZS was the Architect of Record for the highly successful Science/ Storms Exhibit, and Explore! Red Planet/Blue Plane Exhibit (unbuilt).
Recently, HPZS:
- Designated AOR for electrical upgrades designed by AECOM, including replacing three 1930’s era electrical substations in the Main, East, and West Pavilions with new, state-of-the-art switchgear rooms.
- Converted the 30 year old OmniIMAX theater into the Giant Dome Theater, integrating entirely new digital projection systems; only the second installation in the U.S.
- Implemented Pioneer Zephyr Exhibit upgrades, including ADA, exhibit and digital projection.
- Was awarded the exterior signage contract for the MSI’s first name change, thanks to the 125M gift by Kenneth Griffin, expected to be completed in 2024.
