Completed in March 2022, Ivey’s Construction served as construction manager for the Gateway at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex project. The 54,000 square foot. multi-level exhibit space features displays that include a space-flown Orion Crew Vehicle, full-scale replicas of a Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew Vehicle and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, and scale models of ULA Atlas V and Delta IV heavy rockets.
The Ivey’s team, with their extensive experience in handling priceless space artifacts and innovative problem-solving approach, also installed a space flown Falcon 9 rocket booster from the building’s ceiling structure. To achieve this, Ivey’s collaborated with specialty engineers and in-house rigging experts to develop an erection and installation plan for this impressive exhibit. The project also included the installation of four two-story 4D motion theaters that allows visitors to take one of four immersive space journeys. On the second floor, a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Satellite Wall with interactive touchscreen displays was also installed.
The focus of the Gateway at the KSC Visitor Complex attraction is to educate and entertain guests by highlighting current space program achievements and future, cutting-edge innovations in space travel from NASA and their commercial space partners, including returning to the Moon and future Mars missions. Our team’s creative thinking, adaptability, and expertise in heavy lifting enabled custom aspects of the project to come to life.
In 2022, Ivey’s Construction was honored with an Excellence in Construction Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors Association for the Gateway at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex project. Reviewed and awarded by a panel of industry peers, the Excellence in Construction Program is the premier competition within the construction industry that recognizes outstanding achievement in construction based on criteria that includes design, innovation, and safety.
