USS Constellation Inner Harbor Terminal, Baltimore, MD

USS Constellation, Inner Harbor Water Taxi Terminal is a museum that flanks the 1850s warship in the harbor of Baltimore. The owner is DOT (Department of Transportation). The museum building is on the existing pier, which rests on piles. Two gangways connect to the ship. Main interior spaces include an exhibition space area, lounge area, office space, mechanical rooms, and public restrooms. Two stairs and an elevator serve as connectors to the roof top, which is accessible to the public. Visually, the facade is clean and consists of glass store front panels and wood siding. As a general note on design aesthetics - connections and material transitions are designed in a minimalist manner throughout. The building system is steel framing, roof is pre-cast concrete planks. On the energy level, the project is a carbon-free building, and exceeds code requiremen the state of Maryland. Tidal movements are taken into consideration.

This is both a state and federally funded project. The project was designed and approved by the DOB in 2014 by W Architecture and Landscape Architecture team. Lenka was hired in 2019 to manage the CA phase. She obtained the renewal of the building permit, issuance of the demolition permit for existing building, reviewed the CPM schedule, and issued the bulleting to consolidate the set for construction, as part of preparation for construction. During the construction Lenka reviewed RFIs, submittals, PCOs, attended monthly progress meetings held by the owner / construction manager (DOT), visited the site periodically to note the progress, and coordinated MEP (Altieri), Civil (RKK) and Structural (Silman) on design questions. As part of the project closing, she conducted the substantial completion inspection and reviewed and edited punch list. 

Roof assembly consists of structural deck which is precast concrete planks that are supported by tapered beams, 5/8” gypsum roofing board, waterproof roofing membrane, tapered rigid insulation, and filter fabric on top. Portion of the roof that is wood decking, has pedestals resting on the roof which hold wood planks. Portions of the roof are green, which is soil planted with grass, and the growing medium is held within metal edge profiles. Green roof assembly differs slightly, as capillary mat is installed below filter fabric. 

The roof perimeter has a continuous parapet all around constructed of CMU block, capped with metal coping, flashing and counter flashing, all sloped 10%. The areas between parapet and green roof areas are infilled with gravel. The roof is penetrated by stair bulkheads, and connection details are designed as on the details included. The roof is open to the public. The steel cable railing is provided all around and installed as per the details shown.