Designed by James Renwick Jr. in the mid-late 1800s, this Gothic Revival building is a city, state, and national landmark.
- Designed by James Renwick Jr. in the mid-late 1800s, this Gothic Revival building is a city, state, and national landmark.
Silman has provided structural engineering services for various projects at the church for nearly two decades. In 2003, working with Peter Marino Architect, Silman provided structural engineering services for the restoration of St. Patrick’s early 20th century Lady Chapel. Work consisted of repairing the stained-glass windows and marble walls, restoring and painting the plaster ceilings, and replacing the polychrome marble mosaic floor with a new slab that includes features to limit shrinkage and prevent cracking.
More recently, Silman was on the design team for a decade-long renovation and restoration of the cathedral’s interior and exterior. The building’s rectory was modernized with the replacement of the roof, windows, elevator, and all systems.
Restoration work included repairs to the monumental bronze doors at the Fifth Avenue entrance.
Regular mass services continued while the project was underway.
- Restoration work included repairs to the monumental bronze doors at the Fifth Avenue entrance.
- Regular mass services continued while the project was underway.
This project also included new ancillary spaces, a new public garden for reflecting and meditation, and the conversion of an existing sub-grade mechanical plant into a state-of-the-art geothermal facility. Cumulatively, the renovation resulted in an estimated 29% reduction in the cathedral’s energy usage.
Silman was also on the design team that enclosed the Lady Chapel with 48-foot-tall structural glass walls and modern glass doors.
