Rudy, I have worked on 2 similar projects here in NYC over the past 10 years. The first one was a NY Public School, PS 31X in the Bronx. It was one of, if not "the" first of the Charles Schneider "Collegiate Gothic" schools, 1890s I believe. This is a buff colored brick with very nice terra cotta details and slate "dormer" roofs. Cage frame construction it had been sorely neglected and needed a lot of structural/façade repairs. The bricks were generally in good condition but with underlying steel deterioration replacement bricks were needed so we initially tried to source them from available sources. We found that the existing brick were larger than "standards" but not jumbos. Took a few out and saw they were stamped "Kittanning". Since I grew up near Pittsburgh, I knew this is a town in western PA. We found the manufacturer was still in business and called them. They used to make face brick but haven't for many years. They now only make fire brick which would have visually and dimensionally matched the brick from PS31X. HOWEVER, according to the manufacturer's test data, the fire brick didn't conform to SW (Severe Weathering) brick and would have likely failed due to freeze thaw. We had started looking into custom brick but this project never went into construction. As a matter of fact, we were the third team to work on it. The team immediately preceding us was headed by a bridge engineering firm that didn't understand the structure and had begun replacing the structural frame completely. They were stopped early in construction. Our work was stopped as we approached 100% construction documents, back in around 2000. I was up in the neighborhood last winter and the school still sits empty and relatively open to the elements. Very sad. The second one is still ongoing, 7-9 East 72nd St, a pair of 1890s townhouses in Manhattan. The rear facades of #9 are clad in the same color and same size brick matching PS 31X. However these bricks had been painted, coated with tar, Thoroseal, and more paint. However, the bricks were in good condition. We did some cleaning tests and were able to remove all/most of the coatings without damage but the bricks were stained and areas had been patched with common red brick. Also, the #7 building was red common brick which had been treated the same way. Part of the renovation included creating a garden in the back yard and the designers wanted the walls to look nice and uniform but no one wanted to replace the brick so we suggested painting and opted for Mr. Edison's ElastoWall 351. Based on the maps at hand, and not knowing exactly where the project is (Pacific NW has many climate possibilities) I would caution against using these bricks. Have they looked into cutting down and staining "jumbo" bricks? Also, there are manufacturers that can custom fabricate brick that are not too terribly expensive. Take care, Eric Hammarberg, Assoc. AIA Vice President Thornton Tomasetti 51 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 T 917.661.7800 F 917.661.7801 D 917.661.8160 [log in to unmask] www.ThorntonTomasetti.com From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Walsh Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 5:42 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [BP] Order Your Exclusive NRA Christmas Cards Rudy, Me and Ken Uracius worked on an oddball project like this a couple of years back. I'd bet that he could provide some practical thoughts on the subject. John ________________________________ From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rudy R Christian Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 5:29 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [BP] Order Your Exclusive NRA Christmas Cards Hi folks, This came into the "Contact PTN" mailbox. Seems like an odd solution even to a wood guy. Anyone want to take a swing at it? I am in the process of replacing cracked brick on a 1924 County Courthouse. The original brick are of larger than normal size. To replace the cracked brick in the past the owner has opted to replace with a firebrick which is intended for fireplaces and kilns. The choice was made on the basis that the firebrick was of a larger size than the original brick so it could be cut to the size of the original brick. Additionally the fire brick can be stained to match the original. Is using firebrick on an exterior elevation a good choice for replacing the original clay brick? Note the location of the courthouse is in the Pacific Northwest. I am looking forward to your answer prior to installing more fire brick. Rudy ________________________________ From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim Follett Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 9:36 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [BP] Order Your Exclusive NRA Christmas Cards Looks the same as last year, and the year before that.... ________________________________ From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 7:50 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [BP] Order Your Exclusive NRA Christmas Cards Just got my annual solicitation to "Set Your Sights on the Perfect Holiday Greeting Cards" from the NRA Store. I have examined all the seasonal items available - including one Jewish, but no Arab - but not one of them, not Santa, not baby Jesus, not the Cute Little Puppy, is carrying a gun. Obviously the Obama socialists have already infiltrated the NRA merchandise division. There is, however, an NRA tree ornament. http://www.holidaycardcenter.org/nra?s=RF095533&r=NRAblast Christopher -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html No virus found in this incoming message. 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