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.
Christopher
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