Latest Technology, Time-tested Craftsmanship Add Up to Rain Screen Success in New York City

Local 1 New York

JOURNAL: ISSUE 4 - 2012

The brick exterior of this 34-story apartment building was removed and replaced with a terra cotta rain screen system, installed by members of Local 1 NY employed by Brisk Waterproofing. Below, the finished product.

A demanding and complex restoration by members of Local 1 New York of one of New York City's premier rental properties will provide the owner with a far more energy efficient property, tenants with a more comfortable environment, and a gorgeous new terra cotta exterior that Lenox Hill residents and visitors will appreciate for years to come. From a BAC perspective, says Local 1 President Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr., the recladding of the "34-story, post-WWII glazed brick building on which the brick was failing and which is being replaced with a cutting-edge terra cotta rain screen system, has kept as many as 50 Local 1 members working at a time over a two-year period, producing close to 100,000 work hours for our members. It's also helped demonstrate BAC's prominence in this emerging market along with that of the signatory contractor on the job, Brisk Waterproofing and the Western Façades team," adds Sullivan.

From left, Local 1 President Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr. with members John Sweeney, Stephen Rivenburgh, and Timothy Rogers on the jobsite.

Brisk and Western Façades are members of the Western Construction Group, one of the nation's top restoration firms. Western Façades was formed last summer to take on rigorous projects like the Rudin family-owned building at 215 East 68th Street described above. Brisk executive Michael Radigan was tapped to lead the new team as Senior Operations Manager. Radigan is also a member of the BAC Labor-Management Restoration and Retrofit Committee. 

Brisk Waterproofing Superintendent Nick Marini.

Local 1 member John Sweeney sets a terra cotta unit into the aluminum framing system.

A wall section where the brick exterior has been removed and an air/vapor barrier has been installed over the CMU backup wall.

In a recent interview (nreionline.com), Radigan commented on the project's innovations, which can be replicated elsewhere: "The building's white brick façade is being replaced with a highly advanced NBK-designed white terra cotta cladding. We're installing a new "Passive Rain Screen System" that represents the latest development in the continuing evolution of façade construction. The system was developed in Germany, and 215 E 68th Street represents the largest use of this system in a restoration project of an occupied building. The new system will provide energy savings by preventing heat transfer from the exterior skin through a 3-inch-to-4-inch air and insulation barrier, while providing full air and vapor protection. It also requires less maintenance than traditional masonry systems and makes repairs easier. These innovations and systems can be implemented in most any façade replacement project on the market today."

Local 1 President Sullivan, right, discusses the project with member James "Jimmy" Renda.

The start of the project, according to Brisk Waterproofing Superintendent Nick Marini, entailed the removal of all of the exterior glazed brick to expose the back-up block work. The block work was patched and repaired as necessary prior to applying an air and vapor barrier membrane. Rigid insulation board was installed tight to the wall to provide cooling and heating efficiencies for the tenants. The next step is installing the track system that holds the terra cotta units, which vary in size. After the track systems are plumbed, leveled and ranged, the terra cotta units are slipped in. Installation is fairly straightforward, "but it is a delicate process, and requires a steady hand and good craftsmanship to install properly and not damage any of the material… The terra cotta has flanges on each side and a kerf that locks into the tracks… If a terra cotta unit should become damaged, it can be easily isolated, removed and replaced," says Marini. He adds, "It's very important to have a proper craftsman here. It's a specialized project, and I am very proud that all the members of Local 1 have done an outstanding job."

Stay tuned for the next "Members at Work" and a look at another premier high performance rain screen system project, the new DePaul University Theater School in Chicago installed by Local 21 IL members working for W.R. Weis Company/Stone System.