Innovation Pitfalls: Lessons Learned from Rehabilitating Early Brick Veneer Wall Assemblies
Between the 1940s and 1990s, designers began combining new materials and methodologies with traditional approaches in masonry wall construction, resulting in what we consider “early veneer wall assemblies.” While ultimately resulting in improved building performance and the typical cavity wall assemblies we use today, the evolution to this type of wall construction resulted in many building enclosure performance issues and an age of construction that has often required rehabilitation. Many of the issues with these types of walls stem from an insufficient understanding at the time regarding the performance of traditional building materials in new applications. In this webinar, we will examine common issues with early veneer walls, which are still often the cause of inadequate performance for existing buildings. We will also review lessons learned that translated into improved wall design and present case studies highlighting the challenges associated with repairing early veneer walls.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand typical construction of early masonry veneer walls.
- Recognize common distress and deterioration in early masonry veneer walls.
- Identify options to remediate common distress and deterioration in early masonry veneer walls.
- Discuss challenges that can impact the rehabilitation of early masonry veneer walls, and understand the lessons learned that translated into improved wall design.
Participants will earn 1.0 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the live webinar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register.
About the Speaker
Matthew Normandeau combines deep expertise, innovative problem-solving, and a forward-looking approach to every building enclosure design. His experience includes numerous high-profile renovation and adaptive reuse projects, many of which involved changes in occupancy. As a leader of multidisciplinary design teams, Matthew has guided many significant rehabilitation projects specializing in the replacement and modernization of building enclosure systems, including comprehensive recladding scopes. His thoughtful leadership ensures seamless integration of technical solutions and design vision.
Amarantha Quintana-Morales works on projects involving building enclosure investigation, remedial design and renovation, and design consultation of new building enclosure systems. She has experience investigating and designing both contemporary and historic facade claddings, fenestration, roofing, masonry, and waterproofing systems. Her notable projects in New York City include Shepard Hall at City College of New York and the Four Seasons Hotel, as well as multiple historic New York State psychiatric centers. Amarantha has presented on the sensitive use of modern materials in preservation, predesign for building repositioning and enclosure, identifying facade elements at risk of ice buildup/shedding, and energy code compliance for new and existing buildings. She is a member of the Association for Preservation Technology International and Northeast Chapter, the American Institute of Architects New York, and the National Organization of Minority Architects.
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