History

For close to 60 years, Mueller’s engineers have delivered innovative engineering solutions and top-tier services. We have completed groundbreaking projects for respected clients and owners, addressing complex engineering challenges spanning various sectors, including higher education, cultural, corporate, and governmental domains.

Nearly 60 Years of Transformative Growth and Exceptional Engineering Achievements

“At the outset, we began as a small venture,” recalls our founder, Richard Mueller (second from the left). In just a few years since our inception in 1966, Mueller elevated the company from a modest four-person, one-room enterprise to a thriving business engaged in engineering high-profile and intricate projects, including museums and state-of-the-art academic and research facilities.

Collaborating with Gene Nerf (first from the left), Mueller cultivated enduring partnerships with prestigious clients like the Smithsonian Institution, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Northrop Grumman. Mueller attributes the company’s success to a “great nucleus of exceptional people,” a guiding principle that remains central to our ongoing success.

Pioneers in Sustainability

From its inception, Mueller has championed innovation and embraced emerging technologies. In the 1970s, we pioneered the design of photovoltaics for the White House and supported the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in exploring alternative fuels. In the mid-1980s, Mueller expanded its technological innovations with dedicated research and development efforts in fuel cell development. Upholding this rich legacy, Mueller continues to engineer intricate building systems, harnessing breakthrough technologies like geothermal, photovoltaic, and chilled beams.

At Mueller, we believe that NetZero, carbon neutrality, and decarbonization are not merely future aspirations but current imperatives. The most sustainable building is the one already built. Collaborating closely with our architecture and engineering partners, we design MEP solutions that not only fulfill clean energy objectives but also pioneer novel approaches to advance decarbonization, even on our most demanding projects.

Shaping the Future Through Quality, Innovation, and Landmark Projects

Richard Mueller articulated our founding principles: “quality services, quality projects, quality clients, and quality staff.” In the decade following our inception, we underwent significant expansion, marking the commencement of several decades dedicated to undertaking transformative projects.

In 1972, our involvement in the renovation of the Washington National Cathedral provided a pivotal platform for our burgeoning engineering team to showcase its capabilities. This success opened doors to our inaugural projects with esteemed institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Reflecting on this period of remarkable growth, Gene Nerf, who assumed the role of president in 1991, emphasized, “These experiences were crucial stepping stones in shaping the firm we have evolved into today.”

“The challenge of designing a museum HVAC system within a historic building ignited my passion for this business.”
Robert Marino, PE
Chairman of the Board, Mueller Associates

Bringing Historic Buildings Back to Life

Expanding upon our expertise in engineering MEP systems for intricate cultural endeavors, Mueller embarked on a transformative journey in 1985. The mission: convert a historic Masonic Temple erected in the early 1900s into the globally acclaimed National Museum of Women in the Arts. Unveiled in 1987 to international acclaim, the once male-centric structure now symbolizes global artistic representation for women.

Leading the charge was a young engineer, Robert Marino, who founder Richard Mueller personally recruited. This inaugural project remains etched in Marino’s memory as the catalyst that ignited his passion for the industry. “The challenge of devising an HVAC system for a museum within a historic building fueled my enthusiasm for this field,” he reflected.

Fast-forward three decades, and Marino has witnessed the museum’s latest restoration. A new generation of Mueller engineers has explored innovative ways to enhance and build upon his original engineering concepts.

A Legacy of Building Relationships

Fostering enduring partnerships with prominent owners and institutions has been a cornerstone of Mueller’s success since its inception. Here are some of our most longstanding clients.

The Smithsonian Institution

More than 100 projects engineered for the world’s largest museum and research complex, from historical renovations to new construction

The Baltimore Museum of Art

Four decades of experience delivering MEP improvements throughout the historic building and new additions

Northrop Grumman

More than 1,000 projects completed, including state-of-the-art laboratory environments that facilitate breakthrough industry research

Georgetown University

Four decades of engineering support for modernization and new development initiatives ranging from master planning to plant upgrades

The University of Maryland

Three decades and over 100 projects, from the home campus at College Park to satellite campuses throughout the state

The Kennedy Center

Repeat performances at the Kennedy Center include major theater modernizations encompassing more than 70 projects

National Air and Space Museum
“This project has been a career goal of mine for quite some time. From the first small renovation project I worked on at NASM more than 20 years ago to now, I am so proud of our role in preserving these artifacts for the next generation. Of course, we need to preserve our planet to permit the preservation of artifacts. The modeling predicts energy cost reductions of 50% and carbon reductions of 40%.”
Todd Garing, PE, LEED AP BD+C
President, Mueller Associates
Exploring the Planets at the National Air and Space Museum

A Soaring Success

Beginning in 2013, Mueller embarked on our most extensive project to date: the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) revitalization. Although our association with the Air and Space Museum traces back to 1984, this recent phased overhaul is a monumental $1-billion modernization endeavor involving replacing all building systems, enhancements to the exterior envelope, and comprehensive renovations to galleries and various spaces.

Learn More

A Model and Sustainable Approach

In pursuit of rigorous environmental and sustainability objectives, alongside the preservation of the museum’s collections for upcoming generations of visitors, Mueller’s engineers harnessed innovative 3-D modeling tools. We crafted energy-efficient MEP solutions to elevate the efficiency and resilience of NASM’s heating and cooling plants. Moreover, strategic cistern design enables the collection of around 4.4 million gallons of rainwater annually. The harvested runoff serves various purposes, including irrigation and cooling tower make-up water. The Air and Space Museum’s modernization is on track to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Learn More

Focusing on the Future

As we pay tribute to history through numerous historic preservation projects, Mueller’s engineers remain firmly focused on the future. We actively welcome innovation and foster creative thinking. In each project, we pose critical questions.

How can we stay at the forefront of industry trends?

How can we design cutting-edge yet versatile and adaptable building systems that endure for the next three, four, or even five decades?

The pursuit of answers to these questions continually propels us to strive for excellence in engineering.

Gain Momentum

Our industry newsletter, Momentum, highlights projects, clients, and MEP and fire protection engineering trends