Theodore H. M .

Prudon

Restoring 2 0 ' Century Skyscrapers in N e w York:

Woolworth Building, Chrysler Building, Lever House

The preservolion of 20" Century architecture presents offend the historical context - or the preservalion Commu-
many new challenges, unexplored opporlunities ond nity for that matter - will detract from the strength of ihe
some inherent historic ironies. Where preservalion is original design. These stylistic adaptalions or re-interpreta-
aboul saving significanl historic buildings (or the future, lions result in the very sorl of eclecticism to which the
modern architecture is often aboul breaking wilh the past. modern movement objected. Design therefore must be a
Where the new architecture did not seek to be based on true partner in the preservalion of the modern monumenl
historic precedent but ralher to be reflective of a new aes- and working together to enhance the design intent is the
thetic, advancement of the machine and the social needs true opportunity for architects and preservationists. This
of a sociely, >his new architecture has now become his- new Cooperation could lead to "aealive reslorations".
toric precedent and deserves to be saved. It is therefore These "creative reslorations" are not in the sense of Viol-
not surprising that this new architecture requires a preser- let-le-Duc by odding historically correct elements that
valion philosophy that reflects the innovative aspects of its should have been there but never were or in the fancifu!
own original ideals. The answer for preservalion must be manner of Disney but truly creative Solutions that enhance
found in the very origins of this modern architecture, not the qualities and strengths of the original design and its
unlike earlier preservalion philosophies found their basis in intenl.
the appreciation of pre-induslrial design and craltsman-
ship. Aside from the theoretical and philosophical challenges
To rely for the preservalion of modern architecture on cur- that lie ahead, there are a series of pressing practical and
rent preservalion principles and philosophies presents a economical problems. The quintessential American build-
fundamental dilemma. Developed during an ero con- ing type, the skyscraper, chosen here. is emblematic. The
cerned with saving the ort and craft of building in the face sheer number and size of these high-rises, the new and
of the onslaughl of the Industrial Revolution, these princi- often untested technologies used in their construction and
ples are not suited for safeguarding contemporary build- their enormous commercial potential represenl a Synopsis
ings designed to celebrate the very advancements of that of the significanl and complex issues affecting the preser-
revolution. The emphasis on traditional technologies, the valion of modern architecture. The three most significont
intimate relationship berween the architect and the arrisan and most frequenlly recurring issues seem to be:
- whelher expressed or implied - as opposed to the use
of machine made materials. more economic Substitutes or
labor saving techniques are likely to be irreconcilable. 1. Functional or economic obsolescence
A new and appropriate preservalion philosophy has to be
based therefore on the very ideals that have given these Many 20* Century slructures were designed for a specific
buildings their meaning and form. That is to say that the purpose and funclion. Once ihese funclions in our rapidly
significance will not be in the inlricacy of its slone carvings evolving society become less desirable or disappear alto-
or the mastery of its repousse copper but in the principles gether these 'custom' buildings become functionalfy obso-
of the new design, the sleekness of the forms and the trans- lete and are economically no longer viable. The increase
parency of its architecture. Therefore ihe authenlicily of the in technological requirements have further aggravated this
original design ideas has taken on an additional signifi- process and. for insiance, office facilities designed before
cance. If preserving historic architecture thus for was about the I970's are considered less desirable (Class B as
saving the inlrinsic value of the design and the craftsman- opposed to Ciass A) and are under considerable pressure
ship, then for the architecture of the Modern Movement in to change While the upgrade may be physically possible
particular it must be first and foremost aboul safeguarding it is likely to be costfy and to generale considerable senti-
the intrinsic value of the original design. In olher words. menl to alter the building archiiecturally to reflect its new
ihe preservalion of the design intent musi be one of the technology externally. Unfortunately ihe more customized
central tenets for any new preservalion philosophy. the building type is, the less flexible it is likely to be and
the greaier the possibility that the structure will become
Moking the design intent an important aspect of ihe new obsolete prematurely. This has sometimes resulted in the
preservalion philosophy offers also new and intrigumg claim thot these buildings were not designed to lost.
opporlunities for the design of adaptive and continued
uses. Here is also a unique chance to reconcile the antag-
onism and Separation berween design and preservalion. 2 . Transparency
Design for and in historic buildings and districts, certainly
in American practice, can be characterized. for decades A unique architectural dilemma presented by modern
now, by a contexlual temerily. The very desire not to architecture is the critical desire to express archiiecturally

69
 IIU

New York. Stotue of Liberty 3. Experimental technologies

by Auguste Barlholdi and
Gustave Eilfei. compleled W i t h the advancement in building technology has always
in 1886 come the use of new and often experimental technologies
and materials. Because of a lack of understanding of and
experience with a parlicular material or system, today
they may have performed unsatisfactory or may have
nsk failed altogether. This raises a series of important philo-
sophical and technical questions that in scope go well
beyond our earlier experiences. Is the entire assembly to
be replaced because of the integral nature of the System?
Is this still preservation? In-kind replacement, the goal of
earlier philosophies, is not feasible or desirable if the ear-
lier system has failed? Does this mean that the use of Sub-
stitute materials is a given, particularly, if the primary inter-
est is in the preservation and enhancement of the design
intent?

Although these issues have important philosophical and

financial implications, there is one significant and undesir-
able side effect. Wholesale refurbishment or replacement
provides the opportunily to "modernize" the appearance
of the building and a re-positioning of the real estate asset
in the market place. In the process significant and impor-
Hl. 2

New York, Stotue of

Liberty The externa! cop- and visually the Organization and slruclure of the building
per skin is supported by
and ils use. As a resull the relalionship between the inside
loiged bars. made origi-
nally out ol carbon steel and the outside is expressed in a largely transparent exte
bul now reploced with rior wall making the interior an integral Visual dement. This
stainless steel members. has made it impossible to list or landmark the exterior with-
that lollow the dilferent
out reaching some consensus or control Over what the
contours chsely. Where
originally feil was utilized
interior will look like in the fulure.
to separate the dissimilar
metals, now Teflon tape is Related and important considerations are interior lighling
found. The bars are con- and exterior glazing. The lighting makes the interior visible
nected to the slruclural
at night expressing that clarity ol purpose, a feature very
frame and lunclion not
unlike the Springs on o much in evidence in the architectural photography of that
wagon The movement is lime. Where the complexity of the window mullions or the tanl portions of the original building are eliminated and
absorbed in the spring presence of interior window trealments like blinds or cur- not even the design intent is preserved.
allowing the outer skin to
tains reduce the transparency, the Overall uniformily of the
move freely wtlhout bemg
reslrainl by the more rigid
exterior appearance does remain critical. Simply suggesting replacement of sections of an original
slruclural steel frame. curtain wall may not be wilhout its own pitfalls. This will
The glazing may also affect the overall transparency. Early result in the loss of a substantial pari of the troditional
curtain walls will most likely have Single glazing with the authenticily of the building. In many instances, this may be
actual glass not entirely perfecl. Where retrofits are neces- unavoidable if a safe, sound and watertighl condition is to
sary the installation of not just dual or insulated glazing but be maintained. However, it is to be hoped that the argu-
also slight linting or E-glass coating of the glass may ment can be made that maintaining the overall Visual intent
become an issue. All this will affect the reflectivity, color is, after securing safe and sound condilions, the primary
and transparency of the outer wall and therefore the over- goal to be accomplished in the preservation and conser-
all external appearance of the building not just during the vation of important modern architeclure.
day but also at night.
While the above considerations may apply also to the
Besides the expense of necessary retrofits, the need to preservation of any modern building, not just high rises,
eslablish some degree of Visual control over the interior several other issues, mostly peculiar to the US, that affect
architeclure and how it affects the external appearance preservation need to be considered at ihis time. Building
will continue to generale considerable discussion, In some in America grew considerably during the period 1880-
instances this has been used as an argument to demon- 1 9 3 0 both in the number of buildings erected as well as
strate early obsolescence (thereby advocating change) the scale and size of the individual structures. The eco-
and leading to unnecessary expense, in other instances it nomic growth and expansion that foslered the develop-
has been used to establish the uniqueness and quality of ment of the skyscraper, also saw the growth of another
the building. American institution: the Corporation. As a result many

70
buildings thal deserve conservation are historically identi- unique structural frame fdesigned by Gustave Eiffel) using
fied wilh (and formerly owned by) American corporate iron bars and Straps. The copper skin and ihe wrought iron
giants. These buildings therefore express as much ihe Straps, separated by feil lo prevent galvanic aclion,
lalenls of their architecls as the prowess and power of its absorb the movement caused by eilher ihe wind or the
owners. temperature flucluations. This structure which reflects tech-
nological innovation and which could be considered an
However, the economic climate and corporate thinking early example of a curlain wall, appears to be Iraditional
have changed. Changed fortunes, lack of willingness or on ihe outside. Many high rises and buildings created sub-
ability to spend the appropriate funds has begun to affeci sequently represent this very same dichotomy. A large and
and potentially endanger the survival of these often unique diverse number of buildings, which, in o shori period of
and idiosyncratic buildings. The lock of any government time. wen) from 4 and 8 stories to 2 0 and 4 0 floors. Most
funding, subsidy or significant tax considerations requires downlown areas in the Uniled Stales, especially N e w
frequently a combination of public pressure, innovative York, show this wide variety and the odd, but inleresting,
financing and unique public and private partnerships to juxlaposilion of size, style and shape.
enable any preservation. This may present a model for
saving other significant monuments and parlicularly those
of the Modern Movement. The very forces that made the The Woolworth Building is a good example of that diver-
construction of these buildings possible are to be har- gence of style and technology. Ii was once ihe lallest struc-
nessed for their preservation. ture in the world and probably slill ranks as the highest
(high) gothic building. Designed by ihe archiiecl Cass Gil-
Aside from the lack of public funding ihere are also little or berl and completed in 191 3 for ihe F.W.Woolworth Com-
no slatutory or regulalory powers to enforce designation pany at a cosl of I 3 million dollars, ihe structure consisls
or lisling. The deeply engrained principle of (more or less of a riveted structural steel portal frame clad with a gothic
absolute) property rights makes any regulalory intervention exterior made of architeclural terra cotla. The terra cotta
masonry is carried directly on the structural steel. This type
of construction, which is essentially load bearing masonry N e w York. Woolworth
I inserted into a structural frame, was widely used at ihe Building, detail ot the
lacode Substanltal sec-
lime. The use of terra colta allowed a great deal of (repet-
lions ol ihe onginal orna-
itive) ornament lo be applied. mental masonry were
7*7
•i
-r In the restoralion of the exterior terra cotla subslantial sec- reploced using cast stone
tions of broken or stressed terra cotla were removed. The units. In some mslances ihe
design was simplilied
fracturing of the terra cotta did occur not only because of
while the overoll detail and
the corrosion of the structural steel anchoring and supporl character was maintained

I
Systems but also because of excessive compressive Where ihe masonry pro-
Stresses in ihe material. When lesled with strain relief truded significanily Irom the

gauges, Stresses from t , 5 0 0 to 4 , 0 0 0 psi were recorded, wall ihe overhang was
reduced Because ol ils
heighl above the ground.
the end resuli was hatdly
difficult because of challenges to their constitutionality. The dislinguishable Irom the
original design
limited controls that do exist, are under considerable pres-
sure because of the changed political climate and rise-
emergence of the so-called property rights movement. 4

N e w York. Woolworth
Having reviewed the challenges facing the preservation Building, c. 1913: Today
the Visual rmpact and signil
modern architecture and laking into account the peculiari-
icance ol the Woolworth
ties of the American System, it is worthwhile to look at Building is not easily appre
aspects of the conservation of parlicularly three high rise ciated because ihe twin
n"
buildings in N e w York City. The three buildings selected lowers ol the World Trade
Center overshadow this
represent three different decades of the 20"' Century and
54slory building When
three distinctly different stylis*ic periods: the Woofworth completed m 1913 aher
Building, the Chrysler Building and Lever House. the designs ol the archiiecl
Coss Gilbert, the building

While the early American high rise saw many technologi- was ihe lallest structure in
ihe worki lor 17 years The
cal advancements, including the eventual total Separation
steel structural Irame k clad
of the exterior envelop and load bearing frame, the archi- in its entirety wilh architec-
tectural form and detail remained ecleclic and reminiscent lural terra cotto which is

of an earlier period. Conversely a new aesthetic is intro- backed with brick lo lorm o

duced suggesting a new technology but one that still

largely relies on earlier building practices. The Statue of
F ^ p wall that is some 12 K> 18
mches thick 130 to 45 cen-
timetersl. This masonry is
Liberty unintenlionally illustrates that dichotomy excellently: supporied on the sreel
The conventional sculptural copper cladding fdesigned by
the Alsatian sculptor Auguste Bartholdi) was attached lo a
i^s harne but hos no relieving
joinls or shell angles

71
 well in excess of acceptable safety Standards. The Volu- decorative. With separate steel frames attached to the
metrie expansion of the terra cotta, which was caused by main strueture and clad in terra cotta, the lourelles were in
moisture and re-hydration of the fired clay was tightly poor condition because of severe exposure and their inac-
restrained by the existing wall construetion and caused cessibility for mainlenance.
pressure to build up. This is another example where the
combination of technologies led to some unforeseen inter- After considerable study of various alternatives which
face problems. Cutting every other horizontal Joint to the ranged from complete elimination to complele rebuilding
füll depth of the terra cotta block, some 4 inches. was in-kind, a modified replacement System that evoked the
found to be the best method to bring the pressure down to original design was selected. After repairing the structural
acceptable levels and minimize damage to the masonry. steel and filling the masonry voids where necessary, a
Where replacement units were necessary, high quality new aluminum panel System was designed to enclose the
cast slone blocks which simulated the original color and entire tourelle. Because the metal fabrication process
detail closely, were used. allowed only for bending shapes and applying minimal
detail, all original architeclural detail had to be simplified
The decision to choose cast stone as replacement material and compressed to its visual essentials in such a manner
rather than terra cotta is the type of decision that will that the overall architeclural articulation and appearance

N e w York. Woolworm
Building, secondary lower:
At ihe very top ol ihe build-
ing. ihe main lower is
llanked on ils lour comers
by small secondary towers, k, K
which Cass Gilberl named
'lourelles'. While exceed-

/X
ingly imporlanl in ihe Sil- f r
y.
houetie ol ihe building, ihe
lourelles ihemselves have
no porlicubr purpose wilh
ihe exceplion ol ihe one on
ihe norlheast corner. which
is a chimney lor a boiler
room ihal once exisled in
ihe bosemenl ol ihe build-
ing. Because ol their
severe exposure and inoc-
cessible localion. oll lou-

•
relles were in poor condh
lion ond required subslan-
Hol work.

N e w York. Woolwoilh
Building, reslored secon-
dary lower- While lephc-
mg ihe lourelles was con
sidered. ihe complexily,
long leim durability ond
ihe Overall cosi ol such an
elfon was determined iö
be prohibiiive. However, ii
become more frequent in the restoration of a modern build- was maintained. Colors for the baked finishes of the alu-
was recognized ihal ihese ing where economic obsolescence of a material is likely minum were not just used to match the original detail but,
lourelles ployed on impor- to be as critical as its physical condition. Cast stone was like the original design, enhanced the articulation of
iam tole in ihe Overall selected for economic, technical and logistical reasons. design wilh ils profiles and moldings. On close Observa-
appearance ol ihe build-
With no large produetion facility for terra cotta available tion the differences between the new and the old is very
ing The decision was
made to stobilize ihe origi- at the time (thousands ol replacement units were required) opparent but when moving further away the distinclion
nal rena cotta where possi- quality. tumaround and delivery time became critical. becomes less and less obvious. When seen from the
bie and 10 create o new While obtaining a replacement unit in terra cotta was ground or when compared with a photograph taken
alummum cloddmg ihal
expected to take as much as 6 months, a cast stone block directly öfter complelion of the original construetion, the
would resemble bui not
mimic ihe original detail.
could be delivered in two weeks and at a lesser cost. change is hardly noticeable. A concern that the new sur-
vVhen viewed Irom dose, faces would become more noticeable Over time because
rhe new detail appears The repair of the lourelles (a French term used on the draw- of their smoother finish has proven lo be unwarranted.
oversimplilied. The intenl,
ings of Cass Gilbert] or small towers, which exlend along While the uniqueness of ihe original architeclural compo-
however was lo mamtom
ihe four corners of the main lower from the 4 7 * to the 52*" sition and detail was recognized, it could hardly be
ihe overoll appearance
when observed Irom some floor, are examples of "creative restoration". While one observed from the ground, some 5 4 stories below, or from
dislonce Irighl sidel. tourelle was o chimney at one time. the other three were further away. Once it was determined that the primary sig-

72
 nificance of these tourelles was in the overall Silhouette of and wilh the masonry were clearfy affected. Mösl proble-
the building. a Solution or a "creotive restoralion" was matically were the areas of the spire where the metal
found. The simplification of form supported the overoll directly abutted the masonry or the parapet walls. The dif-
appearonce and Silhouette or in other words the design ferenlials in expansion and conlraction caused the metal
inlent of the original architecture. to rip the masonry aparl resulting in waler infiltration. Rein-
stallalion of the metal sections, providing expansion and
The 75-story Chrysler Building, anolher early skysaaper sliding joints for the metal combined in some inslances
icon, was compleled in 1930 after the designs of the with a secondary water proofing membrane proved effec-
architecl William van Alen. While built for Walter P. live. With simpry buffing the metal a "shiny" appearonce
Chrysler (not his Company], the architecture of the building wafreslored.
and its decorative detail recalls the automobile back- Because the lorge majority of preWorld War II high rise
ground of its owner. A riveted structural steel frame carries buildings use traditional masonry supported on a structural
an exterior cladding made of block, gray and white brick steel frame, repair and replacement can follow moslly tra-
backed by structural clay block. The entire assembly, some ditional methods After the war with the changes in con-
12 to 16 inches in thickness, has no provisions for shelf struction methodologies are more pronounced and the
angles or expansion joinfs. predominant use of metal and glass and the elimination of
.7

One of the critical elements that need to be understood N e w York. Wcolworth

prior lo any restoralion of an early skyscraper is the inter- Building aber reiloralion:
When ihe top ot ihe lower
action between the steel frame and the exterior cladding
ts observed Irom some dis-

l
or curtain wall. Hybrid technology, earlier construction tonce o w a y , ihe dislinclion
methods or code requirements gel mingled in the various between ihe new and Ihe
Solutions. In the early masonry clad high rises load bear- old begtns lo disappear
The new louieUes wilh iheii
ing masonry technology and detailing was rather indis-
new alummum cladding
criminately Iransferred to steel framed construction. Little or tesemble ihe original
no accommodalion or adaptalion for different behavior or design sutlicienlly fo Sup-
Performance characteristics was made. For instance, it is port ihe ovetoll appear-

not entirely clear when the first expansion joint was intro- once os miended by ihe
original architecl Cass Gil-
duced but it was probably not much before the end of the
bert wilhoul havmg dupli
1920's. Similarly early metal and glass walls use masonry ccned his design exoctly
technology to provide the necessary fire resistance. The design Intal hos been
mamiained

Masonry cladding of the Chrysler Building, like other BälUdltiH

buildings of that period, hos no provisions for thermal
expansion and conlraction. This becomes particularry crit- iüüli^loJ
ical al the comers, where combined wilh other internal
pressures; long vertical cracks are likely to develop. The
resulling water infiltration causes structural steel columns to 1
corrode, thereby further aggravating the Cracking and the '-'l !
B
subsequent water entry. The masonry separated and lost
lateral restraint, a potentially unsafe but rother lypical con-
dition for this type of construction. Removing the existing
corner masonry, repairing the structural steel and rebuild-
7i i
ing the masonry with proper expansion provisions was a
major but necessary undertaking. By introducing the cor- m
ner expansion joints and by separating but reattaching
and anchoring the masonry, berter thermal movement can the socolled wet trades (that is the masonry trades) the
occur. Visually the intervention can be minimal if delailing probiems change and overall Performance of the building
is carefully worked out and new and old materials are not System becomes more critical Much of the experience
indiscriminately mixed together. and understanding is gained Over a shorter period of time
With the increase in the size of buildings and the more fre- with little opportunity in between different projects lo
quent and wider use of non-traditionol materials, the inter- improve the Performance.
action of dissimilar materials and technobgies, particu-
larly under severe conditions will cause serious probiems. While Lever House is generally seen as one of the first cur-
For instance, stainless steel, particularry chrome nickel toin wall buildings, some experience was acquired
alloys. became widely used in the 1930's in the USA. The during the construction of the U N Secretariat Building
distinctive ornamental sheet metal on the Chrysler Building between 1947 and 1950 The wall sections were par-
was made from an early German stainless steel alloy mar- tiolly modified during construction. The excessive wind
keted in the United States under the name 'Nirosta' and is and water pressures generated during a hurricane
similar to our type 3 0 0 series. The metal itsetf has exposed several inadequocies in the original design and
remained quite unaffected by the aggressive atmospheric led lo the addition of gaskets and weep holes. To achieve
conditions but the connections between the metal sheets sufficient rigidity carbon steel Channels were incorporated

73
 / O

N e w York. Chrysler Build-

into the early curtain walls. While this became a Standard
ing: Compleled in 1930 Solution for the First decade, il also resulled into a funda-
öfter Ifie designs of archi- mental problem because of corrosion caused by water
lecl William von Alen. il -;
infiltration or condensalion. The corrosion forces sections
was lor a very shorl
apart ollowing additional water to enter and the process
momenl the lallest building
in the world. The slruclural .... accelerates.
steel frome ol the building i The Visual impact of these early skyscrapers is not easily
hos been clad with a appreciated today because the surroundings have so
glazed brick, either white
drastically changed. For example, the Woolworth Build-
or block in color, which
has o slruclural cloy block ing was once the tallest building in the world but now
backing. No proper shell seems dwarfed by the twin towers of the World Trade
ongles or relieving pinls Center. Lever House is now surrounded by many curtain
exist in ihe enlire exlerior
walled office buildings but, when constructed, Park Ave-
wall. All poropel walls
have been covered with
nue was lined with large residential buildings dating from
stoinless steel colled the beginning of the 20* Century. These Beaux-Arts style
'Nirosta' not dissimilar lo masonry buildings slood in sharp and dramatic contrast to
Our coniemporary 300
the gleaming and shiny glass box of a soap Company.

Designed by Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore Owings and

Merrill and built between 1950 and 1952 the building is
an example of the corporate architeclure of post World
War II. The slruclural sleel framing and floor System was
separated completely from the glass and metal curtain
wall, in essence establishing the concept of core and
shell. The Separation went as far as moving all structural
Supports out of the outer wall and eliminating any distinc-
tion belween primary and secondary mullions. To stiffen
N e w York, Chrysler Build-
the wall vertical slruclural steel U-channels were attached
ing, detail ot the lacade: lo ihe horizontal spandrel beams. Horizontal glazing
The sheet melal Ornaments
ihal adorn ihe dillerenl Cor- r11111111111H11111 •11 m • • i • < • •
ners. These distinctive Orna- iiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiMiiiinmmi ,
IIIIHI IMIIM I M I M I I I I I M I I I J
ments, which recall Ihe ' M'IIIIIHIIIIIIIIIjll I I H I M H I I I f M B
automobile post ol ihe lirsl
owner, Walter P. Chrysler, " " i m um iiiiiiii»1""1
I"I "I ii imi i. i. .i m
. . .i.iriui it li U
miiiiiirii
were generally in good . " ! iiiiiiiiiiiinmiiriiii
\ _ Ä ""lllll|IIIIU.M||lll!üi
condilion.
•v«

::

angles were attached to the sides of the verlicals. The

glazing was placed in the rabbits and secured against the
III. 10 horizontals and verlicals with carbon steel glazing Slops.
New York. Chrysler Build- The assemblies were covered with slainless steel covers.
ing, detail ol the rooling: The wall had no operable sections - one of the first of ils
The lack ol proper provi- kind - and was wet glazed. A system of flashing and
sions lor movement is also
weep holes allowed waler that may have entered to drain
found in the interface
belween the sheet metol
out.
and ihe masonry. Where While remarkable in its simplicily the stick build curtain
the stoinless steel spire wall of the Lever House is still a hybrid technology and
meets the masonry, the dil-
very reminiscent of the earlier masonry walls with its Sys-
letenlial thermal movement
of ihe dissimilar molerials
tem of flashing and weep holes. Where the Woolworth
couses hovoc The sheei Building moy be described as an assembly of eighteenth-
metol tears al the masonry century brick houses in a steel frame, ihe curlain wall of
making this pinl dilTicull to
Lever House can be characterized as a series of early
keep walertight.
storefronls in the air.

7A
At the location of the spandrel a concrete block wall was
N e w York, Lever House;
maintained as a fire stop, as required by ihe building Designed by Gordon Bun-
code at the time. A small section of block was more or less shaft ol Skidmore Owings
suspended below the slab while the remainder was ond Merrill at ihe end of
ihe 1950's and localed on
placed on top of the slab. The front of the block wall was
Park Avenue. Ihe building
parged and pointed ond served as a 'shadow box' for the with ils gleaming glass and
tinted and wired vision glass that was used at the spandrel stainless steel curlain musl
level. m
K
have been very slriking
among the masonry Beaux-
Very quickly öfter completion the wall began to show Ii
m Arts-style buildings that
problems. The limited life span of the early caulking and
ml! m lined Park Avenue at ihe
sealant Compounds had undoubtedly something lo do with Iii! time. Now surrounded by
the need to reseal. By the 1960's apparently the corrosion WS glass and melal curlain
Kr" wall buildings ol a laier
of the carbon steel glass stops and rabbits as well as the
vintoge, ihe significance ol
wire embedded in the spandrel glass was sufficiently
the building as o pioneer
advanced that glass breakage became a common occur- »Ii
and icon ol modern archi-
rence. The corrosion also forced the screw-mounted stain- teclure is much harder to
less sleel Covers to open further, allowing even more water appreciate.

to enter. While an on-going program of glass replacement

was instiluted, it was not easy to match the original glass
consistently resulting in the wide variety of colors existing
in the spandrels today.
The on-going and progressively worsening conditions
recenlly led to a re-examination of the curlain wall and the
development of a repair and replacement strategy. The
underlying philosophical approach essentially accepted
the need to maintoin the overall Visual appearance and III. 12

3
design intent of the curlain wall but identified the necessity •mi N e w York, lever House:
lo use contemporary lechnology and materials to achieve The curtain wall was

a better performing Solution. installed piece by piece.

Over a period of time all ferrous glass stops and rabbils J S Because ol code require-

will be replaced with non-ferrous seclions. The main verti-

cal struclural steel Channels, which were found to be in a
I 11
ments at the time the sec-
lions ol spandrel glass
were to be backed with

reasonable condition, will remain but will have lo be masonry. The back ol ihe

I t
masonry was treated as a
cleaned and painled. For different reasons, all vision
"shadow box' for the
glass, spandrel glass and stainless steel covers will be glass, which was vision
replaced. While the wire glass will be replaced because gloss wilh wire mesh
of ils unsatisfactory Performance, the vision glass will not embedded. The overall
design and lechnology of
be salvaged because it would require extraordinary effort
to minimize breakage. Because the existing stainless steel •ff€<f ihe curlain wall was simple.

Covers have been severely damaged and bent a new

Cover will be installed lo restore the machine like precision
that is such an integral pari of the design intenl of the orig-
•III!
inal building.
The resull of this curtain wall repair and replacemenl
projecl, once completed, will be an elevation that closely
resembles the original appearance. However, the amount r— ••w
of original material that remains in the exlerior wall will be
minimal. In ihe context of Iraditional preservation philos- III 13
ophy ihe authenticity of the wall could be questioned and N e w York, Lever House:
most likely would have to be described as a recon- The gradual replacemenl

|pr||iiiiiiigi||
struclion. ol spandrel gloss necessi-
toted by rhe breakage hos
The principles to guide and, lo some extent, the language
led to a wide diverstty of
lo describe the safeguarding of the architeclure of the

ii!ii[[iiiliyiii
colors. In the proposed res-
more recent past can not be ihe same as for earlier and lorahon all gbss will be
more Iraditional architeclure. N e w atlitudes and concepls replaced and match ihe

•hat reflecl our economic realities as much as the ideology

of the original architeclure musl be established. The archi-
teclure of the Modern Movement ond many of ils precur-
iiizdillfifiiEiiiOiiiii original color as much as
possible Allhough virlually
all exlerior materials will be
replaced in Iheir enlirery,
sors broke the rules of ecleclicism lo forge a new aeslhetic. ihe overall detail and
The new preservation philosophy must also break with ear- dimensions ol ihe original

Iter precedent to be able to save for ihe future the architec-

lure of the 20*' cenlury.
•^^••BbSff-*- curtain wall will be main-
tained.

75