Present: Bill Barry, Bart Bauer, Chelsea Blanchard, Matthew Bronski, Jean Carroon, Rick Detwiller, David Fixler, Jack Glassman, Alison Gould, Donna Harris, Erica Harris, David Hart, Randi Holland, David Kelman, John Lannon (Boston Athenaeum), Doug Manley, Moscow, Henry Moss, Brian Roche, Susan Schur, Malcolm Smiley, Laurie Soave, Robert Thomas, Eric Ward, Sara Wermiel 1. Boston Façade Inspection Ordinance: Matthew Bronski reported on potential happenings with the Boston Facade Inspection Ordinance. In early spring 2003, the Building Envelope Committee (BEC) of the BSA approached the HRC to inquire whether we would be interested in joining the BEC in a potential effort to suggest improvements to the existing Boston Facade Inspection Ordinance. Recently, Matthew Bronski and Tom Schwartz met with Gary Moccia and Harry McGonagle of the Boston ISD, Building Division to inquire; a) whether the ISD would be receptive to suggested improvements to the facade inspection ordinance from the BSA/HRC and the BSA BEC, and b) if so, what would be the proper channels to work through. Gary and Harry explained that enforcement of the current Boston Facade Ordinance (a city ordinance) is difficult without the “teeth” enabled by a state building code violation. The enforcement rate is quite low for the approximately 750 high-rise buildings (greater than 70’ in height) in Boston that are subject to the facade ordinance. Consequently, as a Board member of the BBRS, Gary has put forth a proposal that the Boston Facade Inspection Ordinance be adopted statewide as a requirement of the Mass. State Building Code. If passed, this would allow for better enforcement of the existing Boston Ordinance and would similarly require periodic inspections of facades greater than 70’ in height in other cities throughout the Commonwealth. Along with other proposed changes to the state building code, this proposal will be on the docket for public comment at a future public hearing, probably either in November 2003 or May 2004. We’ll keep watch for a hearing date. A copy of the Boston Ordinance is attached. 2. Boston Athenaeum: John Lannon began planning a major project at the Athenaeum in 1989 with architects Schwartz/Silver and construction manager Barr & Barr. First ideas were already far-reaching but were founded in the provision of climate control and expanded shelving. In 1998, Schwartz/Silver were confirmed again as architects for such an extensive project that it may be seen as part of the Athenaeum’s tradition of periodic renewal, comparable to the addition of upper floors and overall transformation at the beginning of the 20th century. This time, the expansion was lateral, with a daunting installation of mechanical equipment tucked behind parapets at roof level. In 1999, the Athenaeum moved its books to Black Horse Pier and relocated its reading room and events to other quarters on Beacon Hill and in the Back Bay. Gravestones in the Granary Burying Ground were protected. Fine Arts Express removed and stored most of the Athenaeum’s art collection. The building stood eerily empty but intact for a couple of months waiting for demolition contractors to begin. Demolition was both brutal and meticulous with significant excavation at 14 Beacon Street, removal of all building systems, and all windows. The emphasis of the project gradually shifted from expanded book storage to a major mechanical and electrical project. Almost all plaster was removed in order to install new conduits and new ductwork. Many areas received new compact shelving systems increasing live loads sufficiently to require new steel floor framing. Beacon Street had to be closed periodically so that the steel could be delivered; it was hoisted over the building and brought in through 3rd floor windows, along the Granary Burying Ground. At the exterior of the building, Barr & Barr installed cast stone replacements for ruined Brownstone belt courses. The cast stone came from the same part of New Jersey where the sandstone had originated. (Judy Selwyn has been the Athenaeum’s materials preservation consultant for many years.) Many committee members were poised with questions about fire suppression. John explained that the Athenaeum’s rare books area had been protected with a Halon system, now discontinued because of CFC restrictions due to ozone depletion. Substitutes for Halon that leave little or no residue are being developed, but water seemed the best course in 1999. Fire egress had depended upon a fire escape from upper floors to the 2nd story terrace overlooking the Granary Burying Ground. Now, a pressurized stair tower links all upper floors and the basement to an exit at ground level. The new sprinkler system is a wet pipe installation, with pre-action limited to elevator hoistways. John said that the Boston Fire Department stated that they would use fire hoses to prevent re-ignition even if a mist system had extinguished the primary fire. The Athenaeum has a small freezer in the building and an arrangement with Munters to mobilize freezer trucks during an emergency. The technology for conservation of wet books is quite advanced. The mechanical system for the Athenaeum has one level of complete redundancy. There are two chillers, two transformers in separate vaults, and two dehumidifiers. There is one emergency generator. The dehumidifiers incorporate desiccant wheels. All air is brought down to the strictest level of relative humidity and then some is moisture added for other zones. This drastic solution might have been avoided had there been more space for equipment. John showed a startling aerial view with a rooftop density comparable to Shanghai, with almost every conceivable SF of the roof densely packed with mechanical equipment. The roof is an open air mechanical room with equipment held aloft a foot or two above the roof on a steel spanning system that will allow access (albeit tortuous access for emaciated roofers) to the membrane roof below. The Beacon Hill Architectural Commission required that no rooftop equipment should be visible from a 6’ high view point across Beacon Street, necessitating the low clearance below the rooftop equipment. The Mass Historical Commission was authorized to review alterations to the interior on this massive project as that imposed a 30 year preservation restriction. John said the project took longer than they had planned, largely because of MEP routing difficulties encountered during construction. The project cost increased from $22 million GMP to $25 million over the long course of construction: over two years! David Fixler noted that Einhorn Yaffee Prescott expect to install a mist system at Fairsted. Jean Carroon is planning a mist system for the attic of Trinity Church and cited recent advances and less intrusive installations. The Library of Congress uses a mist system, but Eric Ward (EYP, Widener Library) suggested that it is most appropriate for eccentric interior spaces where less water is a clear requirement. 3. APTI Conference: Matthew reminded the committee about the technical workshops associated with the upcoming APTI conference in Portland, ME. 4. Building with Stone, Technology & Conservation Conference 2004: Susan Schur, Technology & Conservation’s renowned conference organizer for technical topics in building conservation has chosen Granite and Marble as the materials for her next big event, May 8-9, 2004 at MIT. The program and most of the speakers are already set. The BSA Historic Resources Committee has been a sponsor of Susan’s conferences and symposia for about ten years (we knew her way back when...). Susan has requested poster idea submissions with a deadline of January 15.
featuring David Trueblood “Current Work at Trinity Church” 8: 00 a.m., Thursday, October 9, 2003 The Architects' Building, 52 Broad Street, 5th floor, Boston
Henry Moss AIA, Matthew Bronski, and Sara Wermiel, co-leaders and scribes
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