When the terra cotta cornice system at the northeast corner of the building suddenly failed, LAN was commissioned on an emergency basis to perform a prima facie assessment of the architectural terra cotta detailing for the Passaic County Board of Social Services Building.
Constructed circa 1911, the building’s exterior walls consist of multi wythe load bearing brick. The exterior is adorned with ornate architectural terra cotta for balustrade parapet walls including copings and facings, pediments, cornice, frieze and architrave detailing.
The initial assessment resulted in the removal of dangerously loose and damaged terra cotta details and face brick. The assessment also revealed significant deterioration associated with the architectural terra cotta on the building. The existing terra cotta exhibited glaze crazing, glaze spalling and material loss, missing terra cotta units, stress cracking, spalled mortar joints and deteriorated steel anchorage systems.
LAN’s report concluded that the deterioration of the terra cotta systems was directly attributed to the vicissitudes of the weather, expansion and contraction associated with solar exposure and the freeze thaw cycle. The report further recommended that both debris protection netting, and barricade scaffolding be installed at the entire perimeter of the building. This was done to protect the life, safety and welfare of the building occupants and the public until the County could implement a phased stabilization and restoration/repair project.
Client
Passaic County Board of Social Services
Location
Paterson, NJ
Completion Date
2015
Markets
Historical Preservation, Public
Services
Architecture
LAN Associates is a full-service engineering, planning, architecture, and surveying firm founded in 1965. We take pride in our ability to address the distinct needs of our large and varying client base.
