The walls are comprised of limestone details and a local stone known as Llenroc. In the 1990s, large cracks appeared on the exterior and interior of the building, and the outer and inner wythe of stone started separating from one another.
This 1872 building, the second one built on the Cornell campus, is constructed of load bearing masonry walls. Prior to the current exterior and interior renovation project, Silman worked on the pre-project concept study (with Richard McElhiney Architects) to determine options for repairs.
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The walls are comprised of limestone details and a local stone known as Llenroc. In the 1990s, large cracks appeared on the exterior and interior of the building, and the outer and inner wythe of stone started separating from one another.
Now in the design phase, the project’s goals are to optimize the space usage and address the repairs needed to the exterior masonry walls and stairs as well as all structural deficiencies. The basic structural approach for this work is to preserve the exterior load-bearing masonry walls while demolishing all existing framing within the masonry walls and construct a new frame.
The new structure within is proposed to be steel framed with lightweight concrete on metal deck slabs. The interior East-West stone walls at either end of the main block are proposed to be removed to increase interior space. The portions of these stone walls that extend above the roof will remain and be supported on the new steel frame. The construction team will deploy extensive temporary shoring and bracing of the perimeter walls while the new steel superstructure is under construction.
