Facade Restoration of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple May 05, 2016 The Wilshire Boulevard Temple at 3663 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, was the first synagogue built in Los Angeles and was dedicated in 1929. Designed in the Byzantine architectural style, it is constructed of concrete with a painted Portland cement stucco exterior (Figure 1). Unfortunately, the building had experienced water infiltration into the interior, […] Read More
Project Profile: Composite Metal Panels as a Rehabilitation Cladding April 05, 2016 2 8 • I N T E R F A C E DE C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 INITIAL ASSESSMENT In 2012, RDH Building Science Inc. (RDH) was retained to assess the condition of the building enclosure (walls, windows, skylights, and roofing) for a residential high-rise building located in the […] Read More
Fall Arrest Anchorage: The Right Testing Procedure for Your Project April 05, 2016 INTRODUCTION When it is time to inspect or perform maintenance on mid- or high-rise building façades, suspended scaffolding is often the preferred method of access. In addition to proper rigging, attaching fall arrest to sturdy anchorage is essential. As such, fall arrest anchorage should be evaluated when systems are initially installed, when signifi cant modifi […] Read More
The Roof Replacement of the James C. Colgate Student Union at Colgate University – A Case Study April 05, 2016 Introduction In 2014, Colgate University undertook a roof investigation to study persistent leaks around the dormers on the James C. Colgate Student Union Building and identify a repair scope of work. Designed by the noted New York City architect Walter Chambers and constructed in 1937, the original slate roof had endured 78 harsh central New […] Read More
Preserving History: Historical Roof Renovations April 05, 2016 3 0 • I n t e r f a c e A p r i l 2 0 1 6 The Flatiron Building was built in 1902 on a wedge-shaped property at the intersections of Fifth Avenue and Broadway in New York City. Photo by Alex Jagendorf. Appearance and performance are often two of […] Read More
Effective Strategies to Restore and Upgrade Historical Steel Windows April 05, 2016 2 0 • I n t e r f a c e A p r i l 2 0 1 6 INTRODUCTION The fenestration of a historical building is a focal point and often the defining feature of the building’s style and period. Unlike wood windows in historical buildings, steel windows are often looked upon […] Read More
Do You Have Ants in Your Plants? A Review of Insect Attacks on EPDM Rubber Membranes March 05, 2016 EPDM must be viewed as a success story by any rational consideration of the facts. While there have been failures and instances of misuse, the decades of low-slope roofing market share in excess of 25% are indisputable.1 Roof technologists are sometimes called on to investigate problematic leakage, and identifying the correct source can be deceptive. […] Read More
Design Issues: The Devil in the Details March 05, 2016 As practicing consultants with a chosen vocation placing an emphasis on the building envelope, a fundamental characteristic of our profession is to provide clients with professional services of a value consistent with or exceeding their expectations. It is intended that our deliverables will be worthy of our fees and perceived as a reasonable investment by […] Read More
What about BIM? March 05, 2016 In 1974, Congress established the National Institute for Building Science (NIBS) to interface between government and the private sector in advancing building science and technology for a better built environment. The Institute has a number of councils and committees working on various projects. One of the councils, the buildingSMART® alliance, is charged with developing digital […] Read More
