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Chicago's Adler Planetarium

Space, The Final Frontier

Or is it? As far back as time goes, man has been fascinated with the celestial shows taking place in the heavens above. We have wondered what lies within, and beyond what we can actually see from Earth. Men have made trips to the moon and back; we have seen Mars from close up; we receive pictures from the Hubble Telescope of fantastic sights hidden from the naked eye. With the help and foresight of Chicagoans such as Max Adler, we can enjoy the rich history and spectacular displays afforded us from the world above at the Adler Planetarium.

A picture of the Adler Planetarium taken in its early days shows the 12 reflecting polls that originally graced the entrance of the planetarium. This look was to change over the years.

The year 1928 found Max Adler, a senior officer for Sears, Roebuck and Company, nearing retirement and wanting to give something back to the city of Chicago for the many years of success he had enjoyed. Hearing of a new invention that would allow the creation of an illusion of the night sky in a dark room, Adler, his wife, and architect Ernest Grunfield, Jr., traveled to Germany to obtain further details of this new discovery. So thoroughly taken in by this new development, Max returned to the states and began planning. The doors to the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere opened in 1930. Named after its founder, the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum was an instant success.

The entrance to the Adler Planetarium as it looks today. The reflecting pools have been replaced with a grand sidewalk leading to the entrace doors, decorated with lush greenery and enhanced with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.

In addition to providing the public with this unique opportunity to explore outer space, Max Adler enhanced his museum with an imposing collection of 500 astronomical artifacts, some dating as far back as the12th century. Today, that collection has grown to an amazing 2,000 pieces.

The original planetarium building was designed as a 12-sided, Art Deco structure, covered with smooth granite and capped with a copper dome. Lined with a series of twelve shallow pools, each 16 feet wide and 26 feet long, visitors were encouraged to relax and enjoy an afternoon rest before or after their unprecedented visit to the wonders within. The main entrance was decorated in colored terrazzo symbols donated by the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Foundation depicting the twelve months of the year. Bronze plaques representing each sign of the zodiac were inset at the corners of the structure. Although still visible today, this look was to change over the years with renovations updating the building outside and making room inside for new exhibits and ever-increasing numbers of visitors.

Bill Wilhelm, Director of Operations at the Adler Planetarium. Bill oversees the engineering, security and visitor services departments. Bill and his staff approach their job with a teamwork attitude, which shows in their work.

The Chief Engineer recently had the opportunity to visit the Engineering Department of the Adler Planetarium. After cordially being shown the entire building and given a thorough outline of the inner workings, there was clearly no doubt that this stop was number one on the list of "must sees" in the City of Chicago.

Our interview began with an interesting conversation with Engineer Robert Dominguez and Director of Operations, Bill Wilhelm. Bill related some quite interesting background facts on the museum. The planetarium is part of an organization known as Museums in the Park. This not-for-profit organization is comprised of nine Chicago museums. The Chicago Park District owns the land the planetarium is located on. Although the planetarium rents from them, it is actually a separate entity from the Park District. Run by its own board of directors, Adler Planetarium determines its own programs. Bill told us that although the Adler Planetarium is not one of the larger area museums, the magnificent collection of artifacts draws visitors from every country.

Engineer Robert Dominguez sits at the building control systems monitor located in the engineering office. From here, Robert or one of the staff can monitor the building automation systems as well as make changes without having to leave the office. Whicle this is a great advantage, Rovert said he still needs to make visual inspections of the equipment. Computers are great, but not perfect, he told us.

When asked what the primary duties of an engineer would be, Robert responded with "anything and everything". "Our department handles the lighting, heating, cooling, plumbing, and the assisting with building and disassembling of exhibits. We also will do as many repairs as possible to try to save money. If we can do it, we will". With so many variables on a job such as this, we asked what the most challenging or exciting part of the job was. Robert told us the best part would probably be working with the people. Although the amount of kids walking through here can be havoc, it makes the job not so routine. Every day is something different, according to Robert.

This 1938 pendulum clock stands over eleven feet tall. Enhanced with four etched glass tubes, the mercury filled pendulum keeps time just as well, if not better, than any modern timepiece.

Bill agreed. He added that part of the challenge of the job is that it is always changing. Bill has been at the Adler since 1985. His official title, Director of Operations, finds Bill wearing many hats. In addition to overseeing the engineering department, Bill is responsible for building security, visitor services, acting liaison between the planetarium and the restaurants and he also manages the janitorial staff. With so many hats to wear, Bill finds he has a lot of contact with the staff and the public. That was the best part. Perhaps the least liked part of the job is the amount of paperwork that needs to be done. With an annual departmental budget of just over $2 million, there is a lot to account for. Of the engineering department Bill had this to say. "Our relationship works. They take care of the machines and I take care of them."

The Adler's first building control system consisted of this pegborad. Wooden pegs, used then to keep track of equipment, have been replaced by golf tees.

The early 1960s and the beginning of the "race into space" brought about the first of the dramatic changes that took place in the planetarium. A Board of Trustees was appointed and recommendations were made to expand and modernize the building as well as the educational aspects of the current programs. The first expansion was to take place underground and was opened to the public in 1973. The planetarium now enjoyed more exhibit space and could accommodate the growing number of visitors. Unknown to most of today's visitors, the walkway used to enter the building is actually the ceiling area of the first building expansion project. Oval decorative structures located in this area are actually well concealed skylights. Perhaps the most striking exhibit we had encountered thus far was not really an astronomical exhibit, but one of time. Located in the lower building is a 1938 pendulum clock standing eleven feet tall. Built over 130 years ago, this magnificent piece of furniture is enhanced with four etched glass tubes in the pendulum. Filled with mercury, this clock keeps time just as good, if not better, than any modern timepiece.

This 60 Hp Bryan Boiler is used for reheats in the summer months.

As we sat and talked with Robert and Bill about the equipment located within, Bill showed us one of the first building operations systems used by employees of the planetarium. Simply a piece of wood approximately two inches thick, holes were drilled for each piece of equipment on the premises and pegs were used to keep track of work in progress. In comparison to the high level of technology used today, we couldn't help but be amazed at how far we had come. Presently a Johnson Control Metasys System carefully monitors all the building operations. Rather than changing all machinery and points in the field at once, the Johnson System was designed to work in conjunction with the original Alerton Building System. The Alerton will eventually be phased out and the entire complex monitored by Johnson. When asked what prompted them to choose the Johnson System, Bill replied, "Service. We were having problems with service and response time. Johnson was able to provide us with excellent service and good communication. It made all the difference." According to Bill, building control is the biggest challenge for the engineers. Because of the nature and age of the artifacts, precise temperature and humidity control is critical. The installation of two Liebert Challenger 3000 units allowed them to maintain a constant temperature of 70 degrees with 50% humidity. With the help of these two systems, the planetarium staff can rest assured that the greatest quality of care is being given to the objects inside.

Perhaps the oldest piece of equipment still in use in the panetarium, this fan unit, circa 1930, still serves the Sky Theatre.

We assumed that with an expansion project of this size, the mechanical equipment would be new as well. While some of it was, we found just the opposite to be true for the rest of it. Although the original Kewanee boilers had been replaced years before, two 100HP Cleaver Brooks boilers, each 30 years old, still run with precision. These boilers are used exclusively for wintertime heating. In addition, one 60HP Bryan boiler is used in the summer, mainly for reheats. Perhaps the oldest piece of working equipment is part of the fan units located in the original building. Over 70 years old, one of the three original variable speed fan units serving the planetarium still has the original lead bearings in it. These units are run using steam, while the newer units installed for the expansion projects are run off hot water. A total of eleven fan units in all ensure the comfort of the visitors.

Considered to be the brains of the building control system, these controllers handle the fan units.

Cooling is provided by two chillers. A Carrier, 430-ton centrifugal, rated at 40HP and a York 230-ton screw chiller, added for the most recent addition, work together to keep the temperatures at the required degree. The York is used mainly for a startup unit. When the correct temperatures are achieved, the Carrier kicks on until it reaches its limits and then turns things back over to the York.

This 430 ton Carrier centrifugal chiller, installed in 1986, works together with a York chiller to keep the Planetarium at the required temperatures. It provides most of the chilled water for the cooling system.

The real workhorse of all this is the Metasys Control System. Monitored by a computer in the engineers' office, chillers, all valves, return and discharge temps, and just about any piece of equipment on the premises can be read and controlled from here. Units can be scheduled for automatic startup or shutdown. Temperature sensors smartly disguised as small silver plates in the wall report back room temperatures that can be changed accordingly. Two multi-zone air handling units rated at 25,600 CFM and 42,000 CFM respectively, assist with this job. However, as wonderful as technology is making things for the worker, it is not failproof. The engineering staff still take manual readings every two hours and schedule a walkaround for the chillers on a regular basis. As Robert told us, "Computers are nice to have, but they do need to be verified."

This 230 ton York screw drive chiller supplements the Carrier unit. The York is used primarily as a startup unit.

The best was yet to come. In June of 1996, the Adler announced yet another expansion project. This new addition would give the planetarium the opportunity to centralize the staff in the underground area, while doubling exhibit space and adding new presentations. Perhaps the most striking feature of these improvements would be the new steel and glass Sky Pavilion. Opened in 1999, 1,652 panes of glass set within a contemporary design give the most breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline that can be seen anywhere. Now in charge of a total of 145,500 square feet, the engineering staff had its work cut out for them.

This heat exchanger provides hot water for five fan unit heating coils as well as the fin tube perimeter heating system in the Sky Pavilion.

The new Sky Pavilion was soon to play a large part in the fundraising done by the planetarium. Becoming a popular location for weddings because of the spectacular view of Chicago's lakefront, the Sky Pavilion has also seen noted guests, dignitaries, and international celebrities. But if you think it's a drop of the coin to rent the Pavilion, better watch your pocketbook. Rental of the room begins at $7,500 per event. The outside balcony holds an incredible story of its own. When renovations are made to older buildings, the chances of finding building materials that match exactly are very slim. Most time quarries are shut down or materials are no longer made. Not so in the case of the planetarium. As destiny would have it, the granite used on the outside of the building was located at the same quarry from which the original granite was taken. Not only did it match perfectly, no one will ever be able to tell it wasn't there from the onset.

In addition to their office, the engineers have use of a work area located in the boiler room.

We asked Robert what kind of power it took to run a building of this type. Electricity is provided by ComEd with one 12kV line coming into the building. Through transformers it is stepped down to 480V. We wondered what part of electrical deregulation, if any, affected them. "Actually," Robert responded, "it worked to our advantage. Approximately two years ago ComEd came in and provided us with a thorough energy audit. One of their recommendations was to use electric hot water rather than steam. So we installed new electric hot water tanks." ComEd also informed them that Reliability Money was available through the City of Chicago for some necessary upgrades to improve efficiency. Completely funded through this, the planetarium is now able to achieve a maximum level of efficiency while maintaining a maximum level of comfort and security for the astronomical artifacts as well as human beings located in the museum.

Lines for the rooftop Liebert condensing unit enter the Adler through the fresh air intake.

Robert also told us that the lighting in the building played a large part in controlling the temperature. Inappropriate lighting tends to give off a lot of heat. In a building where temperature control is critical, this could be a problem. A lighting retrofit was completed, changing all T12 fixtures to T8. Eventually, all light bulbs will be switched to fluorescents. "We are working on becoming as energy efficient as possible with regards to lighting," Robert concluded.

This outside temperature and humidity sensor communicates with the control system and is located on the original 1930 rainbow granite wall adjacent to the roof.

With mechanical equipment playing such an important role in this building's existence, we expected a large engineering staff to handle the daily functions. Not quite true. A total of four full-time and one part-time engineer are employed here. Headed by Bill Wilhelm, it was clearly evident that he enjoys his job. Bill is married with one son. While there is no chief engineer, per se, Randy Anderson is considered to be the lead engineer by virtue of his employment length. A career span of 30 years at the planetarium has afforded him all the experience necessary in the operation of this building's equipment. Robert Dominguez impressed us with his knowledge of the building. An outgoing person, he told us stories that most people will never hear. Robert has been with the planetarium for 13 years. He is married with two children. His prior experience came from the now closed Augustana Hospital in Lincoln Park. Soon after Robert came to the planetarium, he was joined by co-worker Tony Moreno. John Rivera, the newest of the full time staff, joined the ranks in April of '99. John previously worked for the Chicago Board of Education. Rounding out the staff, John Burke adds his experience and knowledge to this team of wonders.

Adler's 60,000 square foot Sky Pavilion is a favorite destination for visitors, corporations and event planners. It provides a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and has become a popular spot for weddings.

On a short side note, when you visit the planetarium take special notice of the dedication plaque in the lobby. Depicting the gods and goddesses for which the planets were named, one is missing. Can you guess which one? Hint ? it is missing because the planet was not discovered until February 1930, after the plaque was made. Give up? It's Pluto.

A gas-fired 200 gallon hot water heater delivers hot water to Adler's food servie and rest rooms.

Max Adler has accomplished his dream to bring the night skies to Earth for everyone to enjoy. Let dedicated museum service staff mesmerize you with pictures of the sky above in the Atwood Sphere. After that, walk over to the Sky Theatre. This 68-foot dome will wow you with some of the same scenes enjoyed by earlier visitors to the planetarium. Marvel at all the exhibits located on the main floors ranging from astronauts and their explorations to the moon itself. Then cap off the day with a lifetime experience in the new StarRider Theatre. Let Rachel Fueschel guide you through a digital recreation of outer space while you take part in a Mars landing or circle Jupiter. Whatever you enjoy the most, there is one thing for certain. You will not go away with a bad experience. And there is no doubt that Max Adler can be proud of what he has done for Chicago. He has brought the Universe to Earth.

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