Project Challenge:
Lower Merion School District retained Klein and Hoffman (K&H)
to perform an investigation of the 1938 school building to identify
the causes of isolated water infiltration and evaluate the status
of deferred maintenance issues. The building's facade, roof,
parapets and chimney were inspected. As with any school project,
the most significant challenge was scheduling the appropriate
amount of work to be completed during the summer break to avoid interference with
daily school operations.
Project Solution:
The scope of the repair work included partial chimney reconstruction,
repointing of the building's brick and limestone facade, replacement
of deteriorated steel lintels, installation of new expansion
joints and reconstruction of parapet walls. While the existing
brick mortar was still functional, it was quickly approaching
the end of its useful life. Several field samples of custom
brick, mortar, limestone patch repair and masonry cleaning were
evaluated to ensure that the historic character of the building
was not altered. The contractor mobilized the day after school
ended in June and worked through to the end of summer break
in August.
In addition to the facade project, K&H is also assisting
the school district at Bala Cynwyd Middle School with the
design of structural steel reinforcement as a part of an on-going
theater lighting improvement project.
OWNER: Lower Merion School District
CLIENT: Gillan & Hartmann, Inc.
|
