UOVO Art and Fashion Storage

Project Overview

UOVO acquired a 1950s uninsulated warehouse with the goal of transforming it into a museum-quality facility capable of maintaining ASHRAE-level environmental conditions year-round. Target parameters included 70°F, 50% relative humidity, continuous air and vapor control, interior surface dewpoint and condensation control, and assemblies designed for durability and cost-effectiveness.

SWA began with a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions, fully documenting all enclosure assemblies to remain. This analysis established both the repair baseline for retained elements and the framework for designing upgraded assemblies with integrated thermal, air, and vapor control layers, along with thermal-bridge mitigation to meet performance goals.

Proposed designs were modeled and refined using WUFI Pro hygrothermal analysis and THERM temperature-gradient modeling. Once thermal and moisture-control objectives were confirmed, the assemblies were finalized. In coordination with the design team, SWA reviewed and marked up all relevant enclosure details—walls, fenestration, roofs, and basement walls—to ensure both performance and cost-effective constructability.

SWA provided full construction administration services through completion, with the facility opening for occupancy in 2021.