2026 Convention Session Course: Cladding of the Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History (Parnther A., Lutz D.)

Cladding of the Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History
(Parnther A., Lutz D.)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2026 IIBEC Convention & Trade Show in Sacramento, CA. 

This course includes the following required components.

• recording of the live session
• summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions
• course evaluation survey

Description
The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation is the newest addition to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, originally constructed in 1877. This six-story expansion adds 230,000 square feet of new space for new exhibits, classrooms, learning labs, offices, and education spaces to the existing building, and was completed in 2023.   The new wing and accompanying renovations were designed by Studio Gang Architects with Davis Brody Bond acting as Architect of Record, and Buro Happold as the exterior facade consultant. Buro Happold partnered with WW Glass and Island Exterior Fabricators to fabricate and install the exterior facade which wraps the building of curving steel and natural granite stone. This presentation will discuss the tools and processes used to create the complicated geometric façade, and the challenges and solutions related to preserving a high standard of performance and quality control. The panelization of the stone facade to fit the geometry of the design and the development of the steel frame to support individual stone pieces will be reviewed. Additionally, we will review the design assist and quality assurance procedures which included facade performance mock-up and testing, factory inspections during fabrication, on-site construction administration and reporting, and post-installation field testing.

Authors/Speakers
Andre Parnther, ICC-Certified Masonry Inspector
Associate
Buro Happoid

David Lutz, PE
Senior Facade Engineer
ROOFTECH
Buro Happoid

Course Access
Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
Learners should have a basic understanding of how the strength of cladding and components are calculated and integrated into realizing a facade design for a building. They should also be familiar with rationalization a complicated design geometry into a limited number of shop-fabricated modular panels to allow for ease of construction while retaining the architectural intent.

IIBEC Core Competencies: Exterior Walls

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at the 2026 IIBEC Convention & Trade Show are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.

Credit Start Date 2/4/26              
Credit Expiration Date  2/4/29

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH
This course is approved for  1.0 AIA LU/Elective
AIA Course Number: CONV26_16_OD
AIA Provider Number: G024

Continuing Education Credit Claim Information

To claim IIBEC CEHs and download a Certificate of Completion, learners are required to complete all components of the course, including a passing score of 70% or higher on the summative assessment.  Participants are provided unlimited attempts to complete the summative assessment with a passing score of 70% or higher.

• After completing the course requirements download a Certificate of Completion. 
• Participants are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: cehs@iibec.org
• If you are a member of AIA and would like IIBEC to report your participation in the course to AIA, there is a place in the course evaluation survey to input your AIA member number.

AIA CES Provider statement

IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.  Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.