Rockefeller University Hospital
All Work | Rockefeller University Hospital, New York, New York
Rockefeller University Hospital
New York, New York
Scope
The Hospital at Rockefeller University, built in 1907 and part of the core of the University’s research operations, is an outstanding example of an early hybrid steel frame/masonry bearing wall building. As is common in this type of construction, pack rusting of steel and connection failures had led to extensive masonry damage on the exterior of the building.
JHPArchitects PC developed a model repair program to address the most critical masonry and steel issues. This repair program also provided the project team with an in-depth understanding of the complexities of the building, without which an adequate scope and budget could not have been prepared.
The restoration entailed removal of approximately forty-five percent of the face brick to clean and repair the existing steel framing. Due to this extensive brick replacement, creative solutions were developed to replicate the fourteen original brick colors on the building, most of which were no longer available, including the application of artificial soiling to accurately match the original brick.
JHPArchitects PC also worked on the restoration of the entrance canopy of the hospital as part of an overall upgrade of the building, preparing a detailed assessment of the original cast iron-canopy, including a detailed catalog of missing/damaged components. Accurate reproduction of key components such as the original textured wire glass were an essential part of the design process. The canopy was disassembled, patterns for missing/damaged components were fabricated for the re-casting process, and finally the canopy was re-assembled on site.