ArcSine Engineering has extensive experience in the design of power distribution, lighting, and peripheral systems for many types of historic facilities and museums. Projects include display lighting for artifacts and exhibits, and electrical design for historic buildings. Many include detailed design of both indoor and outdoor architectural lighting. Appearance of installed systems is carefully addressed.

Lighting design methods include zonal cavity, point-to-point analysis, and computer-based lighting programs. For sensitive artifacts, our lighting design is based on the latest recommendations for the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), the Association for Preservation Technology International (APTI), and the American Association of Museums (AAM). Design considerations include careful selection of light sources, application of filters, and automatic switching and dimming to minimize artifact exposure time. For guided exhibits, wireless lighting controls are available.

ArcSine’s designs provide interesting treatments of buildings and exhibits, within budget, while respecting historical and aesthetic values of the facility.

The following is a partial list of projects:

• SAPP HALL, CHICO STATE UNIVERSITY

Design of complete rehabilitation of a 6,200-square-foot historic campus building. The design included period lighting and provisions to later add additional historically correct lighting as budget became available. The project included a new, modern basement concealed within the historic facade, for a 2,000-square-foot computer facility integrated with campus networks.

• CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FACILITIES

Joss House

Power distribution and lighting design for an historical building and museum in Weaverville, California. With sensitive textile artifacts, the lighting system provided for proper lighting levels, lamp and filter selection, and occupancy sensors with automatic dimming. Fiber optic light sources were used to provide illumination of selected artifacts. The design included provisions for future upgrade to a facility wide lighting controller, as budget allows.

Shasta Courthouse Museum

Power distribution renovation and lighting design for an historical building and museum in Old Shasta, California. The design included a facility wide networked control system, including automatic dimming. For changing and future exhibits, a flexible lighting system was designed. Fiber optic light sources were used to provide illumination of selected artifacts.

NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE FACILITIES

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Power distribution and lighting design for four historic buildings.

Santa Rosa Island

Power distribution and lighting design for an entire community on a remote Pacific island. The facility includes 11 historic buildings which are powered primarily by a diesel engine-generator system, with photoelectric and wind-powered backup.

Tuzigoot National Monument

Power distribution rehabilitation design for a 4,900-square-foot historic facility in Arizona. Designed upgrades to water systems located in and around several historic buildings.

 

Grand Canyon National Park

Detailed design of power distribution, lighting, and alarm systems for an 8,000-square-foot archeological artifacts storage facility. Included extensive climate control provisions.

• OTHER NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE FACILITIES

ArcSine performed various services for the following facilities:

• Yosemite

• Death Valley

• Fort Bowie

• Casa Grande

• Pinnacles

• Montezuma’s Castle