Concept Design Completed 2021
33,000 square feet
Renovation

The Mystic Seaport Museum hired OEA in 2020 to study the feasibility of converting a 33,000 SF portion in the southwest corner of the historic Rossie Mill, formerly a turn-of-the-century velvet mill, which now houses the museum's vast collection of small watercraft, small artifacts, and a Collections Research Center, as well as serving as the main point of shipping and receiving for the Seaport's campus. This code compliance intensive conversion of a portion of the existing structure, a hybrid of wood-framed sawtooth roofs, steel joists, and load-bearing brick exterior walls, required a zoning change of use as well as careful handling of code required fire separation between the proposed exhibit hall and the existing storage areas. A new courtyard was proposed as a way to create physical separation between the two areas, as well as bring natural light deep into the center of the mill, and allow for display of a fully rigged boat with a keel (not able to be accommodated indoors). The project proposed removal of three bays of the existing floor to create a double-height exhibition space allowing for indoor display of taller watercraft, and incorporates bleacher seating for presentations and lectures. A new public entrance on the south end of the mill is activated with a cafe/bar, and the former service yard is converted to outdoor cafe seating and lawn, with the expectation that the space could be used for special events. Other proposed improvements include code required structural upgrades to the converted areas, rebuilding of 4 bays of the wood-framed sawtooth roof light monitors, a new HVAC system, and new accessible restrooms.