The conservation and effective repair of facades depend upon an intimate familiarity with any material’s nature, the pathology of deterioration, and encyclopedic knowledge of repair technology and available craftsmen. As water is the primary cause of facade deterioration, especially for stone buildings, water management expertise is fundamental. Mass wall systems must be allowed to breathe, cavity wall systems must drain, and barrier wall systems must be sealed. Repairs for each can be drastically different. The interaction of building components (roof, parapets, windows, doors, etc.) must also be understood.
We have extensive experience in the full range of cladding materials:
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Traditional terra cotta
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Marble
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Granite
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Brick
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Iron
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Limestone
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Redstone
We are also experienced in more contemporary complements of glass, steel, aluminum, EIFS, and reinforced concretes.
The unique dynamics of masonry buildings, like facade restoration, demand specialized forensic engineering skills when maintenance or restoration work becomes necessary. Understanding the dynamics of water infiltration through masonry and moisture retention, dissipation, and deterioration scenarios within the wall, are essential for proper diagnosis and remediation. Period construction techniques, such as a lack of vertical expansion joints, horizontal soft joints, or other stress relief measures, reduce a building’s ability to resist stress within a wall.
Another critical factor in masonry restoration is to interpret the exterior presentations of decay properly. Spalling, cracking, delaminating, and displacement so that the true underlying conditions are revealed enable repair designs that do not mask the formative causes of decay but significantly extend the useful life and enhance a masonry building’s performance.
Masonry Restoration Professionals
Professional masonry restoration engineers understand how improper inspection and repairs can seriously advance a building deterioration scenario from a simple maintenance item to a catastrophic structural situation.
Our experience in the historically-rich environs of Philadelphia has given our firm and engineers a deep understanding of masonry restoration complexities. The team has built up a vast array of knowledge, skills, and tools to bring incredible value to building owners in need of this highly specialized work on modern or historical buildings.
Facade restoration and restoration engineering, particularly on historical structures, is a highly specialized branch and outgrowth of structural engineering. Construction methods, building systems, and materials in much of our building inventory are generally not known or taught in contemporary schools of engineering. Our 40 years of experience with numerous and diverse examples of vintage structures is almost irreplaceable. We have the unique ability to apply modern engineering principles in the restoration of such historical structures.
While an antiquated building may be structurally safe, if the building and engineering system are misunderstood, repairs may very well undermine the structure’s integrity. Our extensive portfolio of historical restoration projects assures owners and clients that their unique property is in the hands of knowledgeable and sensitive professionals.
Restoration Engineering at O’Donnell & Naccarato
Restoration engineering at O’Donnell & Naccarato grew naturally out of our core structural engineering design services. Underserved needs of the Philadelphia marketplace’s extensive historical commercial structures became apparent in the late 1970s. Restoration extends beyond structural expertise. Restoration engineering encompasses a blend of skills and understanding of architecture, manufacturing, materials science, project management, and construction techniques. Fundamentally, problem-solving is the driver behind competency and innovation.
