A Lasting Tribute Continues to Stand Tall

Project Background

• Health center built in 1929 by F.M. Kirby as a tribute to his mother, with the mandate that the building be designed to last 300 years
• MPS conducted an overall building envelope evaluation and leak tests, which included extensive evaluation of all granite assemblies
• The copper flashing below the parapets had separated joints, and pinholes had developed in the copper; water was entering the masonry through the flashing
•  Previous repair and waterproofing efforts had actually resulted in increased water infiltration and deterioration

Project Challenges

• Health center needed to remain fully operational throughout the restoration process
• Parapets contained large, heavy granite units that required careful removal, cleaning, storage, and reassembly
• Main roof and portico contained some of the most intricate terra cotta assemblies on the East Coast, which would have to be protected during reconstruction work
• New Bethel White granite had to be secured to match existing granite where needed
• All work had to meet Kirby’s 300-year mandate as well as Secretary of Interior guidelines

Project Approach

• Work was phased over three years, ensuring that all repairs were made in logical order and minimized impact on onsite operations
• Building was encased in scaffolding and netting to allow daily operations to continue while work was completed
• Mobile scaffold units with a beam-mounted hoist were set up to accommodate the lifting and moving of the heavy granite stones
• Multiple lines of new copper flashing were installed at parapets, copings, balustrades, and block modillion cornices
• All granite mortar joints were repointed, and new historically compatible mortar was installed
• New Sarnafil & Ludowici roofs and associated roof details were required, including new concealed copper gutters and masonry interfaces