Solution

Lincoln Public Library

Lincoln, MA

Service: Building Enclosure Rehabilitation
Market: Cultural
Keywords: Historic, Library, Masonry, Masonry-Terra Cotta, Metal, Metal-Copper, National Register of Historic Places, Preservation Technology , Roofing, Spire/Bell Tower, Stone-Slate

Completion

2002
Lincoln Public Library
Lincoln Public Library

The original library building, designed by William G. Preston and opened in 1884, is a one-story, load-bearing brick and brownstone masonry structure with slate roofs and a clock tower that rises an additional story above the main roof. A brick-clad addition was constructed in 1989. The library suffered from continued leakage through the flat roof of the new addition and the original building gable copings, slate roofs, and metal flashings. SGH conducted a building condition assessment and investigated leakage

Scope | Solutions

SGH determined that water infiltration through the open head joints in the gable coping stones caused heavy mortar deterioration in the gable walls. The brick gables were rebuilt with a reinforced masonry backup. We also observed that the clock tower roof had missing and loose slate and the copper cap was worn thin and missing copper leaves at its base. We determined that connector roof on the addition had failed.

We developed a prioritized repair scope, produced construction documents for the flat roof replacement and for repairs to the original building masonry gables and slate roofs, and monitored construction. Repairs included the following:

  • Replicating brick veneer, including the basket weave and articulated brickwork patterns
  • Repairing and reinstalling original brownstone, stone, and terra-cotta features
  • Removing the existing slate and copper roofs, reinstalling existing slate with some matching replacement slate, and replicating the copper cap in-kind
  • Repairing the wood roof deck and the structure supporting the weathervane during the roof replacement work
  • Replacing low-slope membrane roofs and perimeter flashing

Project Contact(s)

Susan Knack-Brown

Susan Knack-Brown