Author: Vertical Access

Guastavino documentary “El Architecto de Nueva York” wins Cannes Corporate Media & TV Award

Last modified: February 2, 2017
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Title screen shot from “El Architecto de Nueva York”

The biographical documentary, El Architecto de Nueva York,  was honored with a Golden Dolphin Award at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards on October 13, 2016. Directed by Eva Vizcarra and produced by RTVE/Endora Producciones, the film won in the category of History and Civilization.

The accomplished life of Rafael Guastavino, an architect born in Valencia, Spain is the focus of this documentary.  He emmigrated to the USA from Spain in 1881 and proceeded to design and build some of the most recognizable architectural gems of Manhattan – yet his name is still largely unrecognized.  This award-winning film is a celebration of his life and brings long overdue awareness and enlightenment about his contributions to the architecture in cities worldwide.

The Vertical Access Connection

Kent Diebolt and Berta de Miguel guide viewers through Grand Central Station. Screen shot from “El Architecto de Nueva York”.

Kent Diebolt, and Berta de Miguel of Vertical Access are studied in the history of Rafael Guastavino – his vault construction techniques and his many architectural structures throughout the United States. Both appear in the film guiding viewers through iconic examples of his work in New York City such as Grand Central Terminal, the Guastavino Oyster Bar, Ellis Island and more.  In 2013, Kent and Berta organized a hands-on tile vaulting construction workshop at the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) Annual Conference.

Can you identify this building? – Series No. 9

Last modified: March 23, 2017

Test your knowledge of historic and iconic buildings in the U.S. (and beyond!) in this series of “guess the building” blog posts.

Series No. 9:

This challenge takes us to Canada. Originally built as a bank, this 12-story building’s upper floors are clad in terra cotta glazed to match the granite base. Perhaps you’ll recognize the iconic modern office tower in the background. Where is it?

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Answer: One King Street West, Toronto, Ontario. Originally built as the Dominion Bank Building in 1914, this building was later converted to a hotel and condominiums. In the background of the first photo is Canada’s tallest building, First Canadian Place.

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Don’t miss another architectural challenge: subscribe to our newsletter by signing up with your email address in the sidebar. Click here to see all of the posts in this series.

Photos by Vertical Access.

Notes from the Field – Preservation League of New York State

Last modified: October 19, 2016

In October, Technical Services staff visited the Dutch Reformed Church in Newburgh to check in on an important step forward for the structure. The church, built in 1835, was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and is a National Historic Landmark. The League named the Dutch Reformed Church a “Seven to Save” site for 2016-17 and is working with the City of Newburgh and local preservation advocates to make a stabilization, preservation, and re-use plan for the building.

In 2012, the sanctuary ceiling collapsed, crushing the pews inside and destroying additional important interior features. Because the condition of the building rapidly declined after the ceiling collapse, a complete structural analysis of the upper trusses and roof was absolutely necessary in developing a plan to save the building. But how could we complete this inspection and analysis when the building’s condition was so dangerous?

CONTINUE READING … Notes from the Field – Preservation League of New York State

source: Preservation League of New York

Archtober 2016 | World Monuments Fund

Last modified: February 2, 2017

Once celebrated for their innovative design, important modern buildings around the world are now at risk, endangered due to neglect, inappropriate alterations, deterioration, and, often, demolition. For the last two decades, the World Monuments Watch has called attention to threatened modern sites as a key issue in the field of heritage preservation. This presentation will offer an overview of the modern sites featured on the Watch since 1996. Register by October 10 at Archtober 2016 | World Monuments Fund

Call for Presenters – “Mesa to Mountain: Preservation in the American West”

Last modified: July 31, 2020
Artwork by Sandy Brunvand

Artwork by Sandy Brunvand

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) invites interested parties to submit proposals for presentations to be considered for the symposium, “Mesa to Mountain: Preservation in the American West”, taking place March 23-25, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The central theme of the symposium is “western sites, materials and conditions”. The theme will highlight the regional contexts that are unique to the American West, namely the climatological, geological, and historical aspects that shape the cultural resources and conservation approaches in this region.

The two-day symposium will include paper sessions, tours, and a keynote address. Paper sessions will consist of three, 30-minute presentations followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

Potential Topics of Interest

  • Seismic challenges: changing requirements, novel approaches and lessons learned
  • Regional approaches to controlling deterioration mechanisms: moisture, temperature fluctuation, wind, salts, pollution
  • Local materials and methods of construction: earthen architecture, logs and timbers, stone, mortars
  • Mining, industry, ranching and transportation or farming heritage
  • Cultural site stewardship: religious, government, private, traditional cultural properties

Submittal Requirements

  • Please submit abstracts by email with the subject line, “Proposal – Mesa to Mountain 2017”
  • Along with the Abstract, please provide the following in a MSWord.doc or pdf file as an attachment:
    > Name and contact information
    > Title of presentation
    > Abstract, under 400 words
    > Biographical statement, under 200 words
  • Submit proposals to: Kristen Olson, kristen@vertical-access.com
  • Submittals deadline: Friday, September 9, 2016
  • Notification of acceptance of abstracts will be made by Friday, October 21, 2016. Confirmation of speaker acceptance will be required by Friday, November 18, 2016.
  • Presenters will receive a discounted conference registration.

For more information, please contact: Kent Diebolt, kent @ vertical-access.com, or Don Hartley, dhartley@utah.gov

For More Information, go to:

APTI: www.apti.org

Western Chapter: www.wcapt.org/
Rocky Mountain Chapter: www.rockymountainapt.com
Northwest Chapter: www.aptnw.org/

Restoring a Cross High Above Manhattan, Stone by Stone – The New York Times

Last modified: August 22, 2016

In addition to repairing the outside of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, workers are reconstructing its pinnacle: a 10-foot-tall Celtic cross.

Four years ago, chunks of the church’s 141-year-old brownstone facade fell onto the roof of the adjoining Henri Bendel store. The architectural firm Ford3, the structural engineering firm Robert Silman Associates and the investigation and testing firm Vertical Access, which sends inspectors up on ropes and boatswain’s chairs, took a close look.

Their conclusion was that it was time for a full-scale restoration of the brownstone on the north tower, next to Bendel, and on the south clock tower, which is topped by the Celtic cross that symbolically conjures the church’s Scottish heritage. The project includes cleaning, restoring and releading the clear exterior windows.

Source: Restoring a Cross High Above Manhattan, Stone by Stone – The New York Times

Project Highlight: 75 Livingston Street

Last modified: July 20, 2016

Situated on a corner in downtown Brooklyn within the New York City designated Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District, 75 Livingston Street is a 32-story steel-framed, masonry-clad residential building designed by architect Abraham J. Simberg.  It was completed in 1928 and was originally called the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Building.

Vertical Access was retained by FS Project Management to perform a hands-on investigation of the four exterior masonry façades from grade to the top of the building at the penthouse level to assist Howard L. Zimmerman Architects (HLZA) with the Façade Inspection Safety Program (Local Law 11) inspection of the building and with preparation of repair recommendations and documents. Vertical Access had previously performed the Cycle 5 Local Law inspection of 75 Livingston Street in 1999. New York City’s Facade Inspection Safety Program, like other city-mandated facade inspection ordinances and periodic inspections carried out by building owners on their own initiative, is an important means of maintaining our built environment.

At the top of this 430-foot pre-war skyscraper is a sheet metal-clad pyramidal roof and cupola. Numerous setbacks on the south and east facades are exceptional features, with the parapet at each setback distinguished by ornamental terra cotta, projecting finials, and decorative spandrels.

The lower three floors on the Livingston Street (south) and Court Street (east) façades have limestone masonry at the columns and door and window surrounds, with cast iron spandrel panels and steel windows.  Above the third floor, the exterior is clad in brick and terra cotta. The north and west façades are primarily brick with terra cotta ornament at the top of the building.

VA used industrial rope access for the condition assessment and documented representative and notable conditions observed by means of still photographs hyperlinked to annotated AutoCAD drawings, with quantities provided for each prioritized condition. Industrial rope access allowed four technicians to complete the comprehensive inspection of this monumental building in a matter of days, whereas other means of access would surely have taken weeks or even longer.

Happy 100th Birthday, National Park Service!

Last modified: February 2, 2017

2016 is a great time to visit a national park and be part of the National Park Service Centennial celebration.  August 25th is its official birthday, and engaging events are happening yearlong.  The NPS system includes 412 cultural sites and parks including monuments, parkways, battlefields, cemeteries, and recreation areas (full list in the FAQ here) .

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0-wdrG-uC0&w=560&h=315]

Vertical Access is proud of our contributions to the preservation of these National Park Service managed landmarks!

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Fire Island Lighthouse
General Grant National Memorial
Independence Hall
Lincoln Memorial
The Gateway Arch
The Easton Building / 15 State Street

#FindYourPark

Can you identify this building? – Series No. 8

Last modified: February 2, 2017

Test your knowledge of historic and iconic buildings in the U.S. (and beyond!) in this series of “guess the building” blog posts.

Series No. 8:

This Romanesque Revival academic building was completed in 1893, by the Chicago firm of Patton & Fisher. It contrasts with the many (famous) modernist buildings nearby. Where is it?

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Answer: Illinois Institute of Technology, Main Building, Chicago, Illinois. The Main Building was one of the earliest buildings constructed for the Armour Institute, a precursor to the Illinois Institute of Technology. It contrasts with the many nearby Modernist buildings by Mies van der Rohe. The entire main campus, including the Main Building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Don’t miss another architectural challenge: subscribe to our blog by signing up with your email address in the sidebar. Click here to see all of the posts in this series.

Photos by Vertical Access.