Builder Skanska USA of Blue Bell has been awarded the contract for the new $23.3 million Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion at the Franklin Institute. Skanska expects to break ground this spring on the 53,000-square-foot addition, the first for the science museum in more than 20 years, and complete it in summer 2014.
Skanska said it expects the project to create 125 jobs in construction, design and consulting.
Last fall, the Karabots, who made their fortune in printing supplies, puzzle books, and developing real estate, donated $10 million to the Institute's $64.7 million Inspire Science fund-raising campaign. It was the largest single donation ever to the museum.
The new pavilion will seek LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It will include an education and conference center, a permanent exhibition entitled Your Brain, and a changing exhibition gallery. The exterior will be Indiana limestone to match the original building.
- Diane Mastrull