A. A. Boos & Sons, Inc. was recognized in front of their peers and industry at the Build Ohio Awards Ceremony November 15 in the Renovation category. The renovation of the Toledo Zoo’s Museum, now known as the ProMedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo, lasted more than two years and required a combination of modern ingenuity and old world craftsmanship to preserve the 1933 structure.
Renovated through innovation, skill and hard work, A.A. Boos protected the architectural integrity of the Museum and finished the impressive project without a single crack to the brick structure, ornate stone detailing or treasured woodwork.
Additionally, every window was removed, taken off-site, dipped, stripped, re-glazed and completely restored before being reinstalled. Many hand-carved stone elements were re-cut to accommodate the Zoo’s new plans and A. A. Boos craftspeople carefully removed bricks in the load-bearing masonry structure to make new openings and reconfigured other spaces re-using the original bricks.
“From the beginning you have a building that hasn’t been touched in years and it’s hard to build in,” noted Nathan Decker, Facilities Construction Project Manager with the Toledo Zoo. “Then there’s a lot in here that wasn’t normal. Like the huge piece of glass in the Komodo Dragon display. Instead of having 20 guys pick it up, A. A. Boos brought a machine from Chicago that lifted it with suction cups so it could be installed perfectly and safely.”
Established in 1991, Build Ohio celebrates construction through an awards program that recognizes contractors for excellence in construction and a gala that reflects upon the accomplishments of the construction industry throughout the year. The Build Ohio awards program recognizes commercial contractors for excellence in construction. Winning projects set the standard of excellence in construction in Ohio defining a standard that many strive to achieve.