Durable Design; Lessons from Historic Wood Structures

Transcription

1 Durable Design; Lessons from Historic Wood Structures Bronski, PE, Associate Principal Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Presented: 17 May 2016, Wood Solu8ons Fair Oakland, CA Disclaimer: This presenta1on was developed by a third party and is not funded by WoodWorks or the So=wood Lumber Board

2 The Wood Products Council is a Registered Provider with The American Ins8tute of Architects Con8nuing Educa8on Systems (AIA/CES), Provider #G516. Credit(s) earned on comple8on of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Cer8ficates of Comple8on for both AIA members and non-aia members are available upon request. This course is registered with AIA CES for con8nuing professional educa8on. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construc8on or any method or manner of handling, using, distribu8ng, or dealing in any material or product. Ques8ons related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presenta8on.

3 Course Descrip:on While modern construc8on techniques are helping designers achieve increasing levels of building performance, durability is one objec8ve that can benefit from lessons of the past. This presenta8on is based on an independent research project that examined the durability of historic wood buildings in Rome in the context of their construc8on details. Undertaken by the speaker, Bronski, over ten months, the project included hands-on study of about two dozen historic buildings ranging in period from the first century B.C. to the early 1900s. Through project examples, Bronski will offer a compelling diagnosis of durability successes and failures, while sharing a series of lessons and principles that can be used to design more durable enclosures.

4 Learning Objec:ves 1. Consider how historic wood construc8on details have succeeded technically, and how they might be applied to modern projects. 2. Analyze tradi8onal construc8on principles for managing water on facades and windows, in order to promote long-term durability 3. Examine how the overall enclosure in severe climates contributes to the durability of individual exposed wood members. 4. Learn to recognize and minimize vulnerabili8es in exterior wood construc8on details, promo8ng performance, long-term durability and sustainability.

5 Opening food for thought- Learning from Historic Precedent Which is the more logical, durable way to build? Inverted Stepped pyramid What does your intui8on tell you? Which answer would a study of historic precedent suggest? Stepped pyramid 5

6 What can we really learn about durable design from centuries old structures? Aher all, Today we know much more about the following than our forebears centuries ago: Wood proper8es and behavior Wood decay mechanisms Structural engineering Building enclosure design Waterproofing Preserva8ve treatments Engineered wood products Materials science Etc., etc., etc.

7 What can we learn about durable design from these year old houses in US?

8 What can we learn about durable design from these year old buildings?

9 What can we learn about durable design from this 1,900+ year old building?

10 Vitruvius Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Born c BC Died c. 15 BC Vitruvian Man illustr. by Leonardo da Vinci De Architectura (The Ten Books ) Later (1684) depic8on of Vitruvius presen8ng De Archite@ura to the Roman Emeror Augustus 10

11 Vitruvius Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Born c BC Died c. 15 BC Roman Architect (et al) Actually an Architect, Engineer (Structural, Mechanical, Environmental, Military), Urban Planner, Master Builder, etc. Vitruvian Man illustr. by Leonardo da Vinci De Architectura (The Ten Books ) Later (1684) depic8on of Vitruvius presen8ng De Archite@ura to the Roman Emeror Augustus 11

12 Vitruvius Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Born c BC Died c. 15 BC Roman Architect (et al) Actually an Architect, Engineer (Structural, Mechanical, Environmental, Military), Urban Planner, Master Builder, etc. Wrote De Architectura (On Architecture) c. 25 BC Only surviving architectural trea8se from classical an8quity (either Greek or Roman) Vitruvian Man illustr. by Leonardo da Vinci De Architectura (The Ten Books ) Later (1684) depic8on of Vitruvius presen8ng De Archite@ura to the Roman Emeror Augustus 12

13 Project not a study of Vitruvius, nor his trea8se, nor his built work not a study of how Roman buildings were constructed 13

14 Project Inspired by the methodology of Vitruvius (Book II). He Studied construc8on that either proved durable or not Diagnosed WHY Developed and published lessons learned for building more durably G. Fox Building, Harmord (Cass Gilbert, 1917) 14

15 Project Inspired by the methodology of Vitruvius (Book II). He Studied construc8on that either proved durable or not Diagnosed WHY Developed and published lessons learned for building more durably My approach, goals similar - to develop lessons learned for rehabilita8ng exis8ng buildings, and construc8ng new buildings, more durably (and hence more sustainably) G. Fox Building, Harmord (Cass Gilbert, 1917) 15

16 Project Vitruvius studied Durability of buildings and monuments from ancient Greece to Rome (c. 25 B.C.) Using his basic methodology, I Picked-up where he leh off in 8me Studied a wide range of buildings from ancient Rome, through Renaissance, etc., to 20 th century modern icons 16

17 Project My work in U.S. - bldgs span 200 yrs. My project in Rome bldgs span 2,000 yrs. different climate, different construc8on On Borromini s Oratorio dei Filippini (c. 1640) Early archival photo of AAR Fellows 17

18 Project - Overwhelming need for this research in both Historic preserva:on and contemporary architecture Most building envelopes and structures actually succeed or fail at the intermediate scale By be@er understanding how details and designs work technically, we can be@er understand how to preserve or design these buildings Failed Succeeded Succeeded Succeeded Failed 18

19 Overwhelming need for this researchin contemporary Architecture Current durability issues in Architecture High-end to low-end Renowned to unknown architects East Coast to West Coast Immediate recogni8on of issue EIFS ( synthe8c stucco ) houses in the S.E. USA Highland District Hospital, Hillsboro OH 19

20 Overwhelming need for this researchin contemporary Architecture Current durability issues in Architecture High-end to low-end Renowned to unknown architects East Coast to West Coast Immediate recogni8on of issue Stata Center, MIT, Cambridge Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks California 20

21 Overwhelming need for this researchin contemporary Architecture Sustainability: Durability is fundamental to sustainability Sustainability advantages of buildings that last centuries Massive embodied energy savings of one durable building over several replacement buildings Reduce landfill from demoli8on debris from numerous replacement buildings Palazzo Braschi, Rome (c.1790) Villa Medici, Rome (c. 1544) 21

22 Paving new aesthe:c ground, and related perils; Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA His Master of Architecture thesis project Modernist no8on of bringing the outside in Enclosed courtyard with seamless in-plane (at grade) transi8on from inside to outside

23 Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA At grade transi8on from inside to outside Not a slab on grade! What technical difference does this create? - Here - Versus here?

24 Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA At grade transi8on from inside to outside

25 Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA Localized floor failure led to inves8ga8on

26 Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA Inves8ga8ve work:

27 Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA Solu8on: Collabora8ve mock-ups of perimeter floor repair

28 Historic ain t as easy as it looks; Old South Union Church Build 1854 In 1991, completely rebuilt aher a fire, to exactly match the original appearance In 1998, went to paint the steeple

29 Old South Union Church Original structure lasted 137 years. Why was damage no8ced on the rebuilt structure aher 7 years?

30 Old South Union Church Conducted an inves8ga8on Problems were less about difference in the wood species (pine) More about detailing

31 Old South Union Church Solu8on: Preventa8ve Detailing details mean a lot! Round trim (rondel windows and clock face)

32 Old South Union Church Solu8on: Preventa8ve Detailing details mean a lot! Shiplap siding on upper spire

33 Undercurrents throughout this presentation Historic construction details that persist over long periods of time are usually: highly evolved, and reflect accumulated wisdom and experience Need to look closely at historic construction details to: understand what you see, and learn the broader lessons and principles Thus, it s important to look to the past in order to more effectively: Design and build well in the present Innovate for the future 33

34 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Eave Detail, Rome Very common detail 1 st c. A.D. to early 20 th c. Ornamental? Just habit? Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere) 34

35 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Eave Detail, Rome Not ornamental HIGHLY evolved technical form Functional, structural, architectural are integrated A masterful symphony Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere) 35

36 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Eave Detail, Rome Not ornamental HIGHLY evolved technical form Functional, structural, architectural are integrated A masterful symphony Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere) 36

37 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Eave Detail, Rome Not ornamental HIGHLY evolved technical form Functional, structural, architectural are integrated A masterful symphony Even the smallest detail is evolved Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere) 37

38 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Eave Detail, Rome Accumulated wisdom of the tile overhang on wood - 3 cm (1-1/4 ) too short 12 cm (4-3/4 ) too long 7 cm (2-3/4 ) perfect! 7 cm (2-3/4 inch) clay tile overhang, Pallazetto Cenci (16 th c.), Rome 38

39 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Eave Detail, Rome Reason for the roof to overhang the wall generously - To protect the wall (wood actually making stone more durable!) Casa de Salone Nero (L), Ercolano (Pre 79 A.D.) Via Porta San Pancrazio, Rome 39

40 Seek to Understand What You See Example Tradi:onal Roof Framing, Rome Rafters used on the flat? Square or round purlins? Structurally illogical, right? Reconsider Typical roof framing, Rome Common Roman truss, antiquity late 19 th c. from J. P. Adam, Roman Building; Materials and Techniques Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere) Typical roof framing, Rome 40

41 Recognize and Minimize Inherent Vulnerabili:es Tradi:onal Roof Framing: Anglo- American Anglo-American timber framing: Beautiful, elegant, revered craftsmanship, but has some vulnerabilities... Deep cuts weaken structural members Structural failures tend to occur at connections (inherent vulnerability) Very time-consuming to build Traditional timber framing details in New England, (from Abbott Lowell Cummings) 41

42 Recognize and Minimize Inherent Vulnerabili:es Tradi:onal Roof Framing: Anglo-American Anglo-American timber framing: Revered beauty and craftsmanship, but has some vulnerabilities... Deep cuts weaken structural members Structural failures tend to occur at connections (inherent vulnerability) Structural failures at deeply-cut mortise and tenon connections, American roof framing 42

43 Recognize and Minimize Inherent Vulnerabili:es Tradi:onal Roof Framing Roman Tradi:on Roman Timber Framing Tradition: Romans built their furniture with intricate mortise and tenon connections, but not their structures Roman structural wood connections less intricate, but have elegance of simplicity: No deep cuts no weakening of structural members Very quick to build Trusses and connections easily dissassembled, and all parts easily reused Common Roman truss, antiquity late 19 th c. from J. P. Adam, Roman Building; Materials and Techniques Traditional Roman truss connections 43

44 Perils of NOT Seeking to Understand What You See Ex. Walter Gropius House (1937) Walter Gropius 1937 inspired by the vernacular white clapboard farmhouses and barns of New England reinterprets it But failed to understand the technical logic, or benefit from the accumulated experience & wisdom of the vernacular Traditional window detailing, 1923 Gropius House, window detailing, 1937 failure 44

45 Perils of NOT Seeking to Understand What You See Ex. Tradi:onal, Vernacular New England House Modern detailing failed the application not the material Gropius s design failed to understand the technical wisdom of the vernacular he reinterpreted Gropius House (built 1937), 1990 s wood failures from poor detailing 45

46 Canary in a coal mine aspect of wood construc:on Canary in a coalmine aspect We learn detailing lessons more quickly with wood than w/ other materials The lesson of drying potential The garage paradox Old barn just down the road Failures of 0-4 year old houses in Southeastern USA 46

47 Principles of Durability- Enclosure Form-finding Which is the more logical, durable way to build? Inverted Stepped pyramid What does your intui8on tell you? Which answer would a study of historic precedent suggest? Stepped pyramid 47

48 Principles of Durability- Enclosure Form-finding Which is the more logical, durable way to build? Inverted Stepped pyramid Stepped pyramid 48

49 Principles of Durability- Enclosure Form-finding Which is the more logical, durable way to build? Inverted Stepped pyramid Stepped pyramid 49

50 Principles of Durability- Enclosure Form-finding Inverted stepped pyramid Not a new modern idea Inverted Stepped pyramid Paul Revere House ( ) Boston

51 Canary in a coal mine aspect of wood construc:on What traditional details and strategies have evolved, in harsh climates, with exposed non-decay resistant wood, to make it durable over centuries? 15 th c. cottage, Sussex England (John Fidler photo) Vernacular construction, 16 th 19 th c., Comune di Ayas, Val D Aosta (Italian Alps) 51

52 Canary in a coal mine aspect of wood construc:on What traditional details and strategies have evolved? Timber framing in-filled with wattle and daub an extreme ex. Vitruvius decried wattle and daub for its lack of durability wrote that he wished it had never been invented Wattle and daub (lime) interior ceiling on Palazzo Braschi (1790), Rome Wattle and daub panel on 16 th c. Shakespear s House, England (John Fidler photo) 52

53 Tradi:onal Strategies for Enclosure Form Finding Shed and Shelter Early 20 th c. house in suburban Boston How to make wood durable in a wet climate? «Shed and Shelter» Inverted stepped pyramid form 15 th c. cottage, Sussex England (John Fidler photo) Wattle and daub panel on 16 th c. Shakespear s House, England (John Fidler photo) 53

54 Tradi:onal Strategies for Enclosure Form Finding Shed and Shelter Shed and Shelter Inverted stepped pyramid form Common in wood construction across many periods and styles Transferable strategy to other materials Late 17 th c. Early 19 th c. Late 19 th c. Early 20 th c. 54

55 Tradi:onal Strategies for Enclosure Form Finding Shed and Shelter Shed and Shelter Inverted stepped pyramid form Transferable strategy to other materials Renaissance-era building, Venice Venice streetscapes 55

56 Principles of Durability-Enclosure Form-finding Other ways to shed and shelter Planar wall, shedding projections Cornice projec8on strategy The Pantheon, Rome ( A.D.) 56

57 What can we learn about durable design from these year old houses in US?

58 Principles of DurabilityEnclosure Form-finding Other ways to shed and shelter Shedding projections from a planar wall Shedding strategy Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza, 16-17th c. (Palladio, et al) 58

59 Doesn t need to look Historicist to learn durability lessons from history Danieleson Co@age, Mackay- Lyons Sweetapple Architects, Nova Sco8a The value of a wrapped, sheltering roof

60 Key Take-aways Small details mean a lot for water management and durability (laps, drip edges, etc.) High drying potential adds considerably to wood durability Don t weaken structural members at connections Design enclosures to Shed and Shelter Shed water at frequent intervals Shelter vulnerable areas Inverted pyramid is one common form Many variations on that theme 60

61 Durable design; Closing Thoughts Vitruvius told us: ALL buildings, whether: Public or private Residen8al, civic, or u8litarian MUST have all three quali8es to be architecture 61

62 Questions? This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course Mahhew Bronski Simpson Gumpertz &Heger, Inc. Chicago, Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C