Historic

July 29 2024

WIMSA Memorial

support Historic, Public

WIMSA Memorial Arlington, Virginia

Client:

Premier Management Services
Managing Agent

Military Women’s Memorial
Building Owner

Project Partner:

Contracting Specialist, Inc.

Features

Single-story
Historic
Public
Memorial
Supported by Congress and the Department of Defense

A Monumental Makeover

Standing tall beside Arlington National Cemetery, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial – or WIMSA to its admirers – is a soaring symbol of courage and sacrifice. Once a humble gateway to the cemetery, this architectural gem was reborn in 1997 as a hallowed hall of honor for the countless women who’ve served their country. Its open, airy design, featuring a reflective pool and a wall of names inscribed on glass panels, is a breathtaking tribute to service.

But even monuments need a little TLC. Decades of wind, rain, and the relentless march of time had begun to take their toll on WIMSA. Cracks were appearing, and water was seeping into places it shouldn’t, prompting a federal grant to address the structural issues. A team of dedicated experts, including BECS, were called in to diagnose the problem. The team poked and prodded, peered and pondered, and finally delivered their verdict: WIMSA was feeling its age.

The treatment plan was no walk in the park. To fix the leaky skylights, the crew had to remove a substantial portion of the glass panels in both northern and southern sections. During this process, the contractor uncovered poorly tooled sealant joints and deteriorated joints, posing the risk of water leaks into the building interior. To prevent any future infiltration, the team recommended estimating costs for removing all glass panels in the skylight areas and replacing all sealant/gaskets. This proactive approach aimed to mitigate the risk of future water infiltration.

WIMSA isn’t just a building; it’s a beacon of hope and inspiration for women in uniform. By giving this memorial the care it deserves, we’re not just preserving a piece of history, we’re honoring the legacy of countless brave women who’ve served their country.

July 24 2024

St. Ignatius in Chapel Point

support Historic, Religious Structures

St. Ignatius in Chapel Point Port Tobacco, MD

Client:

St. Ignatius Church, Chapel Point
Corporation of Roman Catholic Clergymen

Project partners:

Atelier Giguere Architects, Contracting Specialists, Inc. (CSI), Washington Art Glass Studio, Maryland Historical Trust

Features

4-story
Oldest Roman Catholic Parish in the US
Historic
Religious Structures

A Timeless Treasure

Nestled in the heart of Port Tobacco, Maryland, St. Ignatius Church is more than just a place of worship; it’s a living, breathing piece of history. Founded in 1741, it’s the oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the entire United States – a title that carries a lot of weight.

This historic gem is a patchwork quilt of buildings stitched together over centuries. The original chapel, built way back in 1642, was a standalone Anglican-style structure. Then came the Manor House, a grand Georgian mansion erected in 1741. The church itself was added around 1798. But wait, there’s more! A devastating fire in 1866 nearly wiped out the Manor House and damaged the church. Thankfully, it was rebuilt and expanded over the next few years, with decorative plasterwork and a towering steeple added for good measure.

Fast forward to the present day. Centuries of wear and tear had taken a toll on this beloved landmark. Bricks were crumbling, mortar was failing, and the once-proud building was showing distress. That’s when we, the BECS team, dove headfirst into the building’s history, uncovering a treasure trove of investigations, forensic testing, construction secrets, and hidden problems.

The church was a puzzle waiting to be solved. We carefully pieced together the clues, from spalling brick, decaying wood, limestone deterioration, and its waterfront location, we created an outline for revival. But restoring a historic building is like performing delicate surgery. Every decision had to be made with respect for the past, while ensuring the building’s future.

To fortify the structure, we transitioned from building engineers to structural engineers, reinforcing walls, floors, and the iconic steeple. We also modernized the interior with updated lighting, electrical, and HVAC systems, enhancing comfort and functionality without compromising the building’s historic charm.

Given its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, St. Ignatius Church required meticulous care. In partnership with the Maryland Historical Trust, our team followed strict preservation guidelines, making sure every brick and beam was treated with reverence. This commitment to authenticity guaranteed the church’s legacy would endure.

To breathe new life into the chapel’s interior, we modernized lighting, electricity, and climate control, creating a comfortable and functional space. We also embarked on a delicate restoration of the stained-glass windows, preserving their beauty for future generations.

The restoration of this beloved landmark has rejuvenated new life into its architectural greatness, preserving its legacy for generations to come.

July 24 2024

Murchison

support Commercial, Historic

Murchison Wilmington, NC

Client:

Reveler Development

Project partner:

Carolina Restoration and Waterproofing

Features

11-story
62,000 sf
Commercial
Historic
Office space
CastaCotta™

breathing new life into The Murch

For over a century, The Murchison Building has stood tall on Wilmington’s skyline, shaping the city’s rich architectural legacy. Built in 1914 by the Murchison National Bank, this eleven-story building, affectionately dubbed “The Murch,” holds a prime spot at the intersection of North Front and Chestnut Streets. Today, its coveted office space with breathtaking views of downtown and the Cape Fear River.

A shining example of transitional steel frame construction, popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, The Murchison is a blend of brick, marble, and terracotta. Unfortunately, the architects of old didn’t quite grasp how steel and masonry would play together over time, leading to problems like moisture mayhem and rusty steel.

Worried about this aging giant toppling over, our team at BECS took on the task of inspecting The Murch from top to bottom. What we found was that decades of neglect had turned the once-proud facade into a crumbling mess. The building’s upper stories were on the brink, with crumbling ledges and a cornice that looked that was cracking and sagging.

We rolled up our sleeves and got to work, crafting a detailed plan forward. Using cutting-edge materials like CastaCotta™, we breathed new life into The Murch. It wasn’t easy – working at dizzying heights, battling the elements, and overcoming supply chain challenges – but we were determined to save this iconic building. Thanks to our team’s dedication, The Murchison Building will continue to be a landmark for generations to come.

July 24 2024

Frick Building

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Frick Building Pittsburgh, PA

Clients:

Rugby Realty
Draxxhall Management Company

Project partner:

Graciano Construction Corporation

Features

- 21-story with an attic
- 357,474 sf
- Class A Office Space
- Historic
- Commercial
- IIBEC Award Winner

A Pittsburgh Landmark

The Frick Building is a familiar site for locals and visitors alike when you look at downtown Pittsburgh. Built by industrial titan Henry Clay Frick, this architectural feat opened its doors in 1902, proudly claiming the title of the city’s tallest skyscraper. A quirky twist of fate transformed it basement into the grand lobby after the surrounding area was leveled in 1912, adding a dash of unexpected charm to this towering landmark.

The Frick Building’s reign as an architectural crown jewel was abruptly challenged when a massive chunk of granite detached from its cornice and crashed onto the city street below. What began as an emergency response to a dramatic incident evolved into a complex, multi-year restoration project. This unforeseen event not only triggered repairs to the building itself but also ignited a citywide reassessment of building façade safety regulations.

From initial investigations into the cornice failure to the full-scale restoration of the granite facade, roof replacement, and installation of a specialized cleaning system, the project was a formidable undertaking. Navigating permits, accessing the building’s heights, and overcoming structural challenges added to the complexity. And to top it off, a lengthy insurance battle stretched the project timeline to nearly five years.

But the real story is the team. A dream team of experts came together to save this historic building. Their skill, dedication, and camaraderie were nothing short of inspiring. This project wasn’t just about bricks and mortar; it was about preserving a piece of Pittsburgh’s soul.

July 24 2024

7 E. Redwood Street

support Commercial, Historic

7 E. Redwood Street Baltimore, MD

Client:

Cushman and Wakefield
Managing Agent

City of Baltimore
Building Owner

Project Partner:

Structural Group

Features

20-story
153,000 sf
Historic
Commercial
Façade Access Support Technicians
CastaCotta™

A TerraCotta Rescue

Dominating the Baltimore skyline at the intersection of East Redwood and Light Streets stands the historic 7 East Redwood building. Built in 1924, this architectural gem houses office space for various local government entities. The building boasts a striking exterior of terracotta, brick, and limestone.

But by 2020, cracks were appearing in its façade. Chunks of the terracotta accent banding were taking a scenic route to the alleyway below, raising alarm bells for the city. Enter BECS, the city’s façade fixers. Our team of talented inspectors, the Façade Access Support Technicians (FAST) squad, were engaged for a building envelope assessment.

Over three days, our team rappelled down the building’s side, examining every inch of its distressed exterior. Our diagnosis? Immediate repair and stabilization needed to fix several unsafe conditions. The upper levels, especially the 19th-floor water table and cornice, were in critical condition. Crumbling terracotta, cracked mortar, and loose masonry were just the beginning of the building’s issues. We also uncovered hidden dangers behind the façade, like spalls in the terracotta near pipes, biological growth at water tables, and a web of worrying cracks. While past repair attempts were attempted, it was evident they had failed.

This was no ordinary makeover. BECS was called in to save the day – or rather, the building’s façade. Our mission: restore the building’s historic charm and keep the pedestrians below safe. It was a tightrope walk between preservation and protection. With overhead protection installed on Redwood and Light Street along with deploying a swing stage as our platform, the height of the building, fickle weather, and poor air quality made every day a new challenge.

Peeling back the building’s skin, our inspection uncovered that the 19th-floor terracotta was crumbling, unsupported and vulnerable to the elements. Faced with a tough choice – complete replacement or stabilization – we opted to preserve the building’s character by stabilizing the existing structure.

Concrete and steel were our initial plan, but COVID-related delays and a lengthy shop drawing forced us to rethink our strategy. Enter CastCotta™, a game-changing material that perfectly matched the original terracotta while offering superior strength and reduced weight.

Overcoming challenges like limited access and the building’s towering height required creativity and perseverance. We repurposed a vacant space for storage and optimized delivery schedules. Despite the building’s age and outdated building codes, we successfully transformed this architectural relic into a shining star of Baltimore.