Architectural Preservation Studio, DPC

New York, NY

Architectural Preservation Studio’s professional staff, under WASA, collaborated with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, landscape architects, on the redesign the plaza facing Foley Square at the east side of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building. Framed to the north by the Court of International Trade, this civic space had leaked into the underground parking garage for decades. APS was responsible for the waterproofing, designed to be installed as a multi-ply system at each of two levels. The slab over the garage, located in some cases 4’-0” below the finished grade of the plaza, received the first system, a hot fluid-applied rubberized system by HydroTech. The topping slab was waterproofed with a 3-ply SBS modified-bitumen system by Siplast. All base flashing details were accomplished with fleece-reinforced liquid-applied membrane.

For the redesign of the plaza, gestural, sweeping landforms fold over the plinth of the Federal Building and link the project to its urban context. A grand, granite stair emerges from the rolling landforms to create an amenity that invites the public into the plan. The material selection and pavement pattern, in concert with a range of landscape spaces, facilitate the transition from the enormity of the Federal Building to the intimate scale of the plan’s internal gardens. The plan spaces are enlivened through the interplay of four seating options: wide marble benches, in both rectangles and circles, reference the scale of the surrounding architecture and provide generous and flexible seating; crescent marble benches follow the edge of planted areas to create intimate spaces; and black granite benches, nestled between the columns of the Federal Building negate the need for temporary barriers.

A close study of the microclimatic conditions and user comfort informed decisions of layout, material and planting. The landforms and trees on the northern portion of the site block winter winds along Worth Street; shade provided by vegetation is a valued amenity during the summer months when the plaza is in full sun for many hours of the day. To compensate for the shade of winter, a targeted Heliostat directs sunlight to six different locations on the plaza over the course of the day. Additionally, reflectors play a role at night when “moonlight” floods the site.

In addition, APS’s professional staff worked on a variety of projects for theGSA at 26 Federal Plaza over a number of years. These include the replacement of the sidewalk along the Foley Square plaza, the design for the replacement of the sidewalk along Broadway, and the design of roof davits to meet OSHA compliance for two-point suspended scaffolding tie backs. We performed the FISP critical examination and report for the Sixth Cycle. We also designed and administered the re-roofing of the adjacent Court of International Trade.

Photo by Alexander Severin Architectural Photography

New York, NY

Architectural Preservation Studio’s professional staff, under WASA, collaborated with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, landscape architects, on the redesign the plaza facing Foley Square at the east side of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building. Framed to the north by the Court of International Trade, this civic space had leaked into the underground parking garage for decades. APS was responsible for the waterproofing, designed to be installed as a multi-ply system at each of two levels. The slab over the garage, located in some cases 4’-0” below the finished grade of the plaza, received the first system, a hot fluid-applied rubberized system by HydroTech. The topping slab was waterproofed with a 3-ply SBS modified-bitumen system by Siplast. All base flashing details were accomplished with fleece-reinforced liquid-applied membrane.

For the redesign of the plaza, gestural, sweeping landforms fold over the plinth of the Federal Building and link the project to its urban context. A grand, granite stair emerges from the rolling landforms to create an amenity that invites the public into the plan. The material selection and pavement pattern, in concert with a range of landscape spaces, facilitate the transition from the enormity of the Federal Building to the intimate scale of the plan’s internal gardens. The plan spaces are enlivened through the interplay of four seating options: wide marble benches, in both rectangles and circles, reference the scale of the surrounding architecture and provide generous and flexible seating; crescent marble benches follow the edge of planted areas to create intimate spaces; and black granite benches, nestled between the columns of the Federal Building negate the need for temporary barriers.

A close study of the microclimatic conditions and user comfort informed decisions of layout, material and planting. The landforms and trees on the northern portion of the site block winter winds along Worth Street; shade provided by vegetation is a valued amenity during the summer months when the plaza is in full sun for many hours of the day. To compensate for the shade of winter, a targeted Heliostat directs sunlight to six different locations on the plaza over the course of the day. Additionally, reflectors play a role at night when “moonlight” floods the site.

In addition, APS’s professional staff worked on a variety of projects for theGSA at 26 Federal Plaza over a number of years. These include the replacement of the sidewalk along the Foley Square plaza, the design for the replacement of the sidewalk along Broadway, and the design of roof davits to meet OSHA compliance for two-point suspended scaffolding tie backs. We performed the FISP critical examination and report for the Sixth Cycle. We also designed and administered the re-roofing of the adjacent Court of International Trade.

Photo by Alexander Severin Architectural Photography

Newark, NJ

Architectural Preservation Studio, under WASA, designed and administered the 25,000-sf plaza restoration project, including the complete replacement of the existing waterproofing system at the plaza, monumental stone stairs and 10,000 sf of perimeter sidewalks. The cast-in-place surfacing material was replicated using pavers which matched the original two-color design pattern, permitting easy access to the waterproofing membrane. All built-in planters were re-waterproofed. The project also involved the upgrading of the perimeter plaza retaining and planter walls with granite to replace deteriorating pre-cast exposed-aggregate concrete. In addition, concrete repairs of beam and column enclosures, damaged from years of ongoing water infiltration, were performed at the existing basement and sub-basement.

In collaboration with Ammann & Whitney, structural engineers, we also designed the slab repair and new parking layout in the garage occupying the basement level. The project entailed full-depth replacement and large-scale patching of the concrete slabs, which were affected by substantial deterioration from deicing salts penetrating the failed waterproofing membrane. In addition to the slab repairs, we coordinated the relocatation mechanical piping and conduits that were hung from the underside of the slabs at the ceiling of the sub-basement. New traffic-bearing waterproofing and coatings were installed along with the new parking layout. We also resolved water infiltration at the sub-basement main switch-gear room, where the slab had undergone severe deterioration due to frequent flooding, by using a fiber-optic camera to investigate the condition of the footing drains and, ultimately, designing a sump-pump system.

New York, NY

Designed by Cass Gilbert and constructed in 1932, the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse at 40 Foley Square is a New York City- and New York State-designated landmark. The professional staff of Architectural Preservation Studio worked with the US General Services Administration (GSA) to resolve ongoing leaks in the occupied space below the monumental entrance stairs. The design-build project was executed with Trio General Contracting Associates.

The first phase of the project consisted of the removal, restoration, waterproofing and reinstallation of the existing granite stairs, as well as the replacement of the supporting structure with a new reinforced concrete structure. The second phase involved the replacement of the existing distinctive sidewalk in kind to provide proper slope for drainage. The sidewalk project was designed as a component of the master plan for the redevelopment of Foley Square. The sidewalk consists of granite and bluestone bands and a special concrete-scoring pattern. In addition to the GSA, this project required approvals from the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transit Authority and NYC Parks Department.

Albany, NY

Albany, NY

Albany, NY

New York, NY

The Manhattan Municipal Building, designed by McKim, Mead & White, is a stunning example of the “City Beautiful” movement. Since its opening in 1914, it has played a role in the government of the nation’s largest city. The building is forty-stories tall, with a height of 585 feet and a floor area of 926,000 square feet. Its façade is made of granite accented by terra-cotta details, as well as recessed cast-ironpanels at the 21st through 24th floors. Its tower is capped by a 25- foot gilt-copper statue, “Civic Fame,” by Adolph A. Weinman. The building is a NYC- and NYS-designated landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In a series of different contracts, Architectural Preservation Studio restored the façade, the gilt-copper statue, and the historic entrance lobbies.

Leaks in the building over a 75-year period had allowed water to infiltrate behind the granite exterior, resulting in corrosion of the structural steel framing as well as extensive interior damage to finishes. Rust build-up against the tightly packed back-up masonry had transferred to the granite-clad exterior causing continuous vertical cracks several stories high and severe displacement in some cases. When pieces of granite fell from the 25th floor cornice to the ground, the City decided to take action.

The professional staff from Architectural Preservation Studio directed the restoration of the elaborate granite and terra-cotta façade of this landmark. The work began with a study of the cladding for compliance with Local Law 10/80, a NYC façade ordinance. Architectural Preservation Studio documented substantial deterioration by performing a hands-on stone-by-stone review, and subsequently, developed the conservation program to restore the façade. The granite and terra-cotta cornice was also found to be in unsafe condition. Corrosion of the steel outrigger supports had caused cracks and spalls in the ornamental granite modillions and frieze, and some of the terra-cotta anthemions were shattered. Safety netting was placed around the cornice to stabilize the structure and plans were prepared for an extensive restoration of the entire exterior. 39 miles of pipe scaffolding, which made the Guinness Book of Records, shrouded the building for four years.

Similar to the Statue of Liberty, the 25-foot Civic Fame statue was suffering from deterioration by galvanic action between dissimilar metals and settlement of the internal armature. The gilt-copper skin was causing the steel armature to corrode preferentially. The entire statue was dismantled and removed from the top of the building. Limited copper-panel replacement was executed and the gilding restored in an atelier off-site. The steel armature was redesigned and erected in stainless steel. In a dramatic conclusion, the statue was air-lifted by helicopter to its original position at the top of the building.

The originaldecorative scheme of the entrance lobbies included marble floors and walls, ornate bronze elevator enclosures, and faux-marble groin-vaulted plaster ceilings. The marble exhibited years of soiling and wax build-up, the statuary bronze-work was painted gold, and the faux marble was long gone due to periodic leaks from mechanical systems through the ceilings. Bronze light fixtures, known only from period photographs, were also missing. Subsequent to archival research and materials testing,  Architectural Preservation Studio designed the cleaning of the marble, the repatination of the decorative bronze work, and the recreation of the faux-marble finish on the vaults. New bronze light fixtures were cast and installed to the original design.

New York, NY

The Manhattan Municipal Building, designed by McKim, Mead & White, is a stunning example of the “City Beautiful” movement. Since its opening in 1914, it has played a role in the government of the nation’s largest city. The building is forty-stories tall, with a height of 585 feet and a floor area of 926,000 square feet. Its façade is made of granite accented by terra-cotta details, as well as recessed cast-ironpanels at the 21st through 24th floors. Its tower is capped by a 25- foot gilt-copper statue, “Civic Fame,” by Adolph A. Weinman. The building is a NYC- and NYS-designated landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In a series of different contracts, Architectural Preservation Studio restored the façade, the gilt-copper statue, and the historic entrance lobbies.

Leaks in the building over a 75-year period had allowed water to infiltrate behind the granite exterior, resulting in corrosion of the structural steel framing as well as extensive interior damage to finishes. Rust build-up against the tightly packed back-up masonry had transferred to the granite-clad exterior causing continuous vertical cracks several stories high and severe displacement in some cases. When pieces of granite fell from the 25th floor cornice to the ground, the City decided to take action.

The professional staff from Architectural Preservation Studio directed the restoration of the elaborate granite and terra-cotta façade of this landmark. The work began with a study of the cladding for compliance with Local Law 10/80, a NYC façade ordinance. Architectural Preservation Studio documented substantial deterioration by performing a hands-on stone-by-stone review, and subsequently, developed the conservation program to restore the façade. The granite and terra-cotta cornice was also found to be in unsafe condition. Corrosion of the steel outrigger supports had caused cracks and spalls in the ornamental granite modillions and frieze, and some of the terra-cotta anthemions were shattered. Safety netting was placed around the cornice to stabilize the structure and plans were prepared for an extensive restoration of the entire exterior. 39 miles of pipe scaffolding, which made the Guinness Book of Records, shrouded the building for four years.

Similar to the Statue of Liberty, the 25-foot Civic Fame statue was suffering from deterioration by galvanic action between dissimilar metals and settlement of the internal armature. The gilt-copper skin was causing the steel armature to corrode preferentially. The entire statue was dismantled and removed from the top of the building. Limited copper-panel replacement was executed and the gilding restored in an atelier off-site. The steel armature was redesigned and erected in stainless steel. In a dramatic conclusion, the statue was air-lifted by helicopter to its original position at the top of the building.

The originaldecorative scheme of the entrance lobbies included marble floors and walls, ornate bronze elevator enclosures, and faux-marble groin-vaulted plaster ceilings. The marble exhibited years of soiling and wax build-up, the statuary bronze-work was painted gold, and the faux marble was long gone due to periodic leaks from mechanical systems through the ceilings. Bronze light fixtures, known only from period photographs, were also missing. Subsequent to archival research and materials testing,  Architectural Preservation Studio designed the cleaning of the marble, the repatination of the decorative bronze work, and the recreation of the faux-marble finish on the vaults. New bronze light fixtures were cast and installed to the original design.

New York, NY

The Manhattan Municipal Building, designed by McKim, Mead & White, is a stunning example of the “City Beautiful” movement. Since its opening in 1914, it has played a role in the government of the nation’s largest city. The building is forty-stories tall, with a height of 585 feet and a floor area of 926,000 square feet. Its façade is made of granite accented by terra-cotta details, as well as recessed cast-ironpanels at the 21st through 24th floors. Its tower is capped by a 25- foot gilt-copper statue, “Civic Fame,” by Adolph A. Weinman. The building is a NYC- and NYS-designated landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In a series of different contracts, Architectural Preservation Studio restored the façade, the gilt-copper statue, and the historic entrance lobbies.

Leaks in the building over a 75-year period had allowed water to infiltrate behind the granite exterior, resulting in corrosion of the structural steel framing as well as extensive interior damage to finishes. Rust build-up against the tightly packed back-up masonry had transferred to the granite-clad exterior causing continuous vertical cracks several stories high and severe displacement in some cases. When pieces of granite fell from the 25th floor cornice to the ground, the City decided to take action.

The professional staff from Architectural Preservation Studio directed the restoration of the elaborate granite and terra-cotta façade of this landmark. The work began with a study of the cladding for compliance with Local Law 10/80, a NYC façade ordinance. Architectural Preservation Studio documented substantial deterioration by performing a hands-on stone-by-stone review, and subsequently, developed the conservation program to restore the façade. The granite and terra-cotta cornice was also found to be in unsafe condition. Corrosion of the steel outrigger supports had caused cracks and spalls in the ornamental granite modillions and frieze, and some of the terra-cotta anthemions were shattered. Safety netting was placed around the cornice to stabilize the structure and plans were prepared for an extensive restoration of the entire exterior. 39 miles of pipe scaffolding, which made the Guinness Book of Records, shrouded the building for four years.

Similar to the Statue of Liberty, the 25-foot Civic Fame statue was suffering from deterioration by galvanic action between dissimilar metals and settlement of the internal armature. The gilt-copper skin was causing the steel armature to corrode preferentially. The entire statue was dismantled and removed from the top of the building. Limited copper-panel replacement was executed and the gilding restored in an atelier off-site. The steel armature was redesigned and erected in stainless steel. In a dramatic conclusion, the statue was air-lifted by helicopter to its original position at the top of the building.

The originaldecorative scheme of the entrance lobbies included marble floors and walls, ornate bronze elevator enclosures, and faux-marble groin-vaulted plaster ceilings. The marble exhibited years of soiling and wax build-up, the statuary bronze-work was painted gold, and the faux marble was long gone due to periodic leaks from mechanical systems through the ceilings. Bronze light fixtures, known only from period photographs, were also missing. Subsequent to archival research and materials testing,  Architectural Preservation Studio designed the cleaning of the marble, the repatination of the decorative bronze work, and the recreation of the faux-marble finish on the vaults. New bronze light fixtures were cast and installed to the original design.

Brooklyn, NY

New York, NY

New York, NY

New York, NY

Jamaica, NY

Jamaica, NY

Jamaica, NY

New York, NY

New York, NY

New York, NY

The Holland Tunnel, completed in 1927, provides vehicular access between New York and New Jersey through a series of tunnels under the Hudson River. It was the first mechanically-ventilated underwater tunnel in the world and remains the model for similar structures internationally. Designated a National Historic Civil and Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil and Mechanical Engineers in 1984, and a National Historic Landmark in 1993, it is regarded as one of the US’s most renown engineering marvels.

Architectural Preservation Studio was retained by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to assess and report on the condition of three sets of monumental bronze-clad doors at the Holland Tunnel New York Ventilation Building. Per Architectural Preservation Studio ’s analysis and recommendations, the monumental doors were temporarily removed to allow repair and replacement of the concealed steel reinforcement at the doors and frames, as well as repair and refinishing of the historic bronze cladding. Temporary insulated enclosures and exit doors were installed to retain the existing exit egress. The refurbished door assemblies, once reinstalled, will also comply with ADA-accessibility requirements.

Hato Ray, PR

Harrison, NJ

The southwest headhouse of the Harrison Station is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and provides east-bound service on the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) Newark-World Trade Center line. The structure dates to 1937 and was constructed through a joint effort by the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad to connect to Newark Pennsylvania Station, constructed in 1935 in Newark, NJ. The interior tracks running through Harrison Station also served the Pennsylvania Railroad New York and Long Branch Railroad line, now used by Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. In 2015 the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office listed Harrison Station as a contributing building to the Pennsylvania Railroad New York to Philadelphia Historic District.

Hurricane Sandy caused extensive flooding in the southwest headhouse and damaged critical electrical equipment. As part of a larger effort to repair infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sandy and implement resiliency efforts across its stations, PATH is seeking funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to replace the southwest headhouse and provide permanent flood-protection measures. Architectural Preservation Studio, DPC was contracted by Jacobs Civil Consultants, Inc. to provide Section 106 consultation in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The project included historic and archival research, existing conditions documentation, HABS photography, and design consultation of salvaged materials and interpretive displays.

Staten Island, NY

The professional staff from Architectural Preservation Studio (while with WASA) was responsible for the investigation, design, and administration of the plaza waterproofing at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark located in the St. George section of Staten Island directly adjacent to New York harbor. The project was undertaken for the Hunter Roberts Construction Group for the NYC Economic Development Corporation. There were persistent leaks at the Main Concourse since the stadium was constructed. The water infiltration into the building’s interior was especially severe at the batting tunnel and hallway located at the Service Level. We designed a comprehensive repair campaign that included a new fluid-applied traffic-bearing waterproofing system with integral expansion joints and new counter-flashing.

New York, NY

Battery Park City Authority retained APS to investigate leak remediation for a relatively new 14,000-SF two-level plaza with several planters. The original waterproofing was a monolithic liquid-applied fleece-reinforced system, which was also installed as damp-proofing beneath granite ashlar parapets and planter walls. Over the course of a year, APS reviewed original drawings and probes, water-testing to understand the causes of the leaks and the condition of the waterproofing membrane. During this process, it was proven that some of the leaks were coming from the glazed curtain wall of the buildings. In addition, it was found that sidewall scuppers had no clamping rings and the plaza drains were actually floor drains, also without clamping rings.

BPCA elected to re-waterproof the plaza with an entirely new system that APS designed. The new waterproofing is a 3-ply modified-bitumen system with all new drain and scupper bodies and a new trench drain. All planters are also being re-waterproofed. Stone site walls are being re-damp-proofed and overlap liquid-applied fleece-reinforced base flashing.

Granite coping stones are being reset over lead-coated copper through-wall flashing. Monumental granite stairs, two side secondary granite staircases, and three asphalt-paver ramps, all of which access the upper plaza level, are being removed and reinstalled over the new waterproofing.

New York, NY

The professional staff of Architectural Preservation Studio, under WASA, worked with Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) under a term contract to prepare construction documents for repairs to the exterior envelope of both the Manhattan and Roosevelt Island Tramway stations. The projects were performed in phases.

The initial phase involved the re-roofing of the Manhattan station of the Roosevelt Island Tramway. In addition, we designed and administered the installation of a canopy over the previously exposed stairway to the tramway platform.

Once this was completed, we moved on to design and administer the Manhattan station’s platform repairs, including re-waterproofing with a pedestrian-bearing system. Under APS, we continue to work with RIOC on the repair and re-waterproofing of the Roosevelt Island station platform. In addition, we designed the reconstruction of the concrete ramp to be ADA-compliant.