LKB | Cradle of Aviation Museum

The Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Nassau County’s new Cradle of Aviation Museum is emerging as a major showcase for Long Island’s role in the development of aviation. With its giant IMAX® theater and spacious display hall featuring aircraft from early biplanes to the space age, the Museum provides the optimum environment for a growing collection.

LKB’s task in Construction Administration was to ensure that the facility operates as designed—for example, ensuring a weather-tight installation for the impressive glass curtain-wall facade (easily said, but not so easily accomplished). LKB’s Construction Management services included oversight of the installation of 4,500 cubic yards of structural concrete, 1 million pounds of structural steel, and 7,500 square feet of glass curtain-wall.

The completed facility provides the Long Island Region with the largest, year-round cultural facility and is one of the largest theaters in North America. The complex includes a new 85,000 square foot Visitors Center featuring a 325-seat theater in a high wrap-around dome, the futuristic “Red Planet Café”, a glass atrium, Museum Shop, and Wall of Honor Gallery. The Aviation Museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of aircraft and spacecraft, representing all key periods in aerospace history.

Not only did LKB’s Construction Management bring this project to a successful and timely conclusion, but LKB has continued to provide invaluable assistance to the Nassau Heritage Foundation. In particular, LKB provided assistance in completing the all-important process of furnishing, finishing, and installation of displays, as well as expanding the facilities to an adjacent hangar and adding exhibits beyond the original scope.