Bennington Museum

Challenge

To acknowledge its 100th anniversary, the Bennington Museum made plans to upgrade their facilities with the goals of improving curbside appeal, complying with modern safety and accessibility standards, and providing long-term stability for visitors and the community.

Solution

We coordinated with the Museum's selected landscape architect to bring the conceptual design into reality, providing survey, permitting, geotechnical, civil site design, and construction administration services. MSK selected an electrical design engineer for the various power requirements of the site, including courtyard event electric systems, EV charging stations, and parking lot lighting. We conducted field investigations and soil borings to assess subsurface conditions. Encountered soils were classified and sent for laboratory sieve analysis. We provided a detailed report with design recommendations based on the results, including guidelines for pavement design, subgrade preparation, materials, and compaction. MSK also performed an existing conditions site survey, which included topographic mapping, boundary verification, and documentation of existing infrastructure, utilities, and site features to inform design decisions.

Using these findings and the landscape architect's conceptual design, we refined the necessary grade adjustments, and designed ADA-compliant walkways and crosswalks, improved parking lot standards, and a stormwater infiltration chamber system that meets project needs and permit requirements. MSK finalized contract drawings, specifications, and contract documents and will coordinate the bid process and provide construction management.

Results

Survey and design work have completed, and construction commenced in September 2025. The groundbreaking marked a significant step toward improving community access and pride, with plans to enhance the museum entrance, upgrade the exterior, and add more parking spaces, including dedicated spots for buses.