flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

AIA course: Concrete buildings — Effective solutions for restoration and major repairs

Reconstruction & Renovation

AIA course: Concrete buildings — Effective solutions for restoration and major repairs

The history of concrete construction between 1950 and 1970 offers architects and construction professionals a framework for how to rehabilitate these buildings today using both time-tested and emerging technologies. This course, worth 1.0 AIA LU, was authored by Henry Moss, AIA, LEED AP, Principal with Bruner/Cott Architects. 


By HENRY MOSS, AIA, LEED AP, PRINCIPAL, BRUNER/COTT ARCHITECTS | May 4, 2022
AIA Course: Concrete Buildings — Effective Solutions for Restoration and Major Repairs
Photo courtesy Bruner/Cott Architects

Architectural concrete as we know it today was invented in the 19th century. It reached new heights in the U.S. after World War II when mid-century modernism was in vogue, following in the footsteps of a European aesthetic that expressed structure and permanent surfaces through this exposed material. Concrete was treated as a monolithic miracle, waterproof and structurally and visually versatile. 

Construction techniques based on contractors’ experience with infrastructure introduced cast-in-place concrete combined with precast elements to replace natural stone on façades. Architects designed exposed concrete façades, cantilevered concrete balconies, and their associated slabs as if the material were uniformly waterproof, which it was not. Thermal conductivity was not addressed. No one discussed embodied carbon back then.

The history of concrete construction between 1950 and 1970 offers architects and construction professionals a framework for how to rehabilitate these buildings today using both time-tested and emerging technologies. Most exposed architectural concrete in the U.S. was in structures built by institutions, especially universities, which expanded rapidly after WWII. Planning for these structures began in the 1950s, and the first wave of buildings was in place by 1965. Many were built with perimeter radiation for heating and without ducts for air conditioning. Comfort standards were less exacting then, and energy conservation was a minor concern. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this article, you should be able to:
+ Discover the history of mid-century modern concrete buildings
+ Explore the primary sources of deterioration in concrete buildings
+ Discuss methods for diagnosing and repairing concrete structures
+ List the advantages of reinforced concrete construction

 

TAKE THIS FREE AIA COUSE AT BD+C UNIVERSITY

  

Related Stories

Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023

19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners

After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.

Affordable Housing | Mar 8, 2023

7 affordable housing developments built near historic districts, community ties

While some new multifamily developments strive for modernity, others choose to retain historic aesthetics.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 8, 2023

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers receives Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from New York Landmarks Conservancy

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, a design firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, announces that the historic facade rehabilitation and window replacement at the 69th Regiment Armory has been selected for the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s prestigious recognition for outstanding preservation efforts.

Adaptive Reuse | Mar 5, 2023

Pittsburgh offers funds for office-to-residential conversions

The City of Pittsburgh’s redevelopment agency is accepting applications for funding from developers on projects to convert office buildings into affordable housing. The city’s goals are to improve downtown vitality, make better use of underutilized and vacant commercial office space, and alleviate a housing shortage. 

Affordable Housing | Mar 2, 2023

These 9 novel housing communities offer support beyond affordability

Here are nine specialized multifamily developments designed to assist their tenants’ needs.

AEC Innovators | Feb 28, 2023

Meet the 'urban miner' who is rethinking how we deconstruct and reuse buildings

New Horizon Urban Mining, a demolition firm in the Netherlands, has hitched its business model to construction materials recycling. It's plan: deconstruct buildings and infrastructure and sell the building products for reuse in new construction. New Horizon and its Founder Michel Baars have been named 2023 AEC Innovators by Building Design+Construction editors.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Feb 16, 2023

Insights from over 300 potential office-to-residential conversions

Research from Gensler finds that, surprisingly, the features that result in an unpleasant office often make for a superlative multifamily product.

Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023

2022 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector

Gensler, Stantec, IPS, Alfa Tech, STO Building Group, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.

Multifamily Housing | Jan 23, 2023

Long Beach, Calif., office tower converted to market rate multifamily housing

A project to convert an underperforming mid-century office tower in Long Beach, Calif., created badly needed market rate housing with a significantly lowered carbon footprint. The adaptive reuse project, composed of 203,177 sf including parking, created 106 apartment units out of a Class B office building that had been vacant for about 10 years.

Adaptive Reuse | Jan 12, 2023

Invest in existing buildings for your university

According to Nick Sillies of GBBN, students are increasingly asking: "How sustainable is your institution?" Reusing existing buildings may help answer that.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category



Reconstruction & Renovation

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers receives Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from New York Landmarks Conservancy

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, a design firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, announces that the historic facade rehabilitation and window replacement at the 69th Regiment Armory has been selected for the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s prestigious recognition for outstanding preservation efforts.


Adaptive Reuse

Pittsburgh offers funds for office-to-residential conversions

The City of Pittsburgh’s redevelopment agency is accepting applications for funding from developers on projects to convert office buildings into affordable housing. The city’s goals are to improve downtown vitality, make better use of underutilized and vacant commercial office space, and alleviate a housing shortage. 

halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

 



Magazine Subscription
Subscribe

Get our Newsletters

Each day, our editors assemble the latest breaking industry news, hottest trends, and most relevant research, delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe

Follow BD+C: