SOLUTION

The scope of services provided by WJE included archival research and document review; field investigation and inspection openings; interior and exterior masonry cleaning studies; laboratory investigations of facade materials; blast loading analysis and mitigation design; repair design, mockup repairs; and construction period services. WJE’s facade restoration design was informed by an extensive field investigation that included hands-on examination of the building enclosure, inspection openings at the limestone and brick facades, and trial dismantling of representative cast-iron and steel curtain wall assemblies.

The WJE team prepared construction drawings and specifications for comprehensive restoration of the facade, including limestone repair, restoration, and cleaning; brick masonry repairs; restoration of cast iron mullions and steel-framed windows at the curtain walls; and restoration of selected bronze doors. Window frame and sash components were dismantled and taken off-site for hazardous material abatement, repair, recoating, reglazing, and application of blast film under controlled conditions. During the construction period, WJE’s services included full-time site observation throughout critical phases of the project and utilized tablet-based digital data collection and punch list management tools.

The project was the recipient of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia’s 2021 Grand Jury Award.