Return-Path: <[log in to unmask]> Received: from rly-yc03.mx.aol.com (rly-yc03.mail.aol.com [172.18.149.35]) by air-yc05.mail.aol.com (v70.20) with ESMTP; Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:23:49 -0400 Received: from eypdc04.eypae.com (eypdc04.eypae.com [205.234.22.4]) by rly-yc03.mx.aol.com (v71.10) with ESMTP; Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:23:24 -0400 Received: from 205.234.22.7 by eypdc04.eypae.com (InterScan E-Mail VirusWall NT); Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:25:13 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time) Received: by EYPDC07 with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) id <22X9JBYR>; Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:24:44 -0400 Message-ID: <7130052D886BD3118AD60050DA2142CC0A2695@E-MAIL> From: Christopher Tavener <[log in to unmask]> To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: RE: Balls Wellsworth Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:22:17 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Thanks for the reply. There were "front" windows (huge, 2 story plus intermediate glazed spandrels and sidelights), facing Mass Ave and the Charles, and "back", (large, single story, punched openings) in the courtyards. Most of the failure has been rusting at the spandrels, where the detailing doesn't work, and at the bottom rails which tend to rust when paintwork isn't maintained. The operating mechanism is typically fine. If a window doesn't operate, it is more likely to have been painted shut or rusted. I can't say that the mechanism has directly impacted the longevity of the window type. However, where a painter was casual about the upper sash (which is common, since people rarely use them, especially monumental ones), the lower sash becomes too heavy to lift and the users blame the system. But I suppose this says something for redundant design as better suited to homo sapiens. Unfortunately the back windows came complete in their frame, so it is impossible to remove sash for repair without cutting the sash! The front windows are dis-assemblable and can be renovated. What has worn out is the track, which was a sherardized insert, since painting would have gummed up the works. The galvanization is almost gone at this point. Modern galvanization techniques aren't really suitable for long skinny, thin stuff that has to be smooth, so we experimented with a Teflon coating designed for surgical wires. It seems to do the trick. MIT are now thinking about fundraising to carry out the renovation. Feel free to post this. -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 11:52 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Balls Wellsworth What an unusual feature! Did this result (at MIT) in better maintenance of the upper sash (since it always had to be operable) or just faster failure of the entire system. Your remarks would make an interesting post on B-P. No mention in four good-sized articles (1917-1924) of the windows; I would have guessed such an unusual feature would have been cited. I am 99% sure that period exterior photographs of the upper floors (of which I have only xeroxes) show open windows in an "unbalanced" arrangement, i.e. bottom sash raised, top sash in "closed" position. Yes, of course I remember you at CCNY, and I am fascinating with differential aging on current preservation solutions. Hope I live long enough! Best, Christopher