Durable Design; Lessons from Historic Wood Structures

Durable Design; Lessons from Historic Wood Structures Matthew Bronski, PE, Associate Principal Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Presented: 22 May 2014, 2014, Wood Solutions Fair Chicago

The Wood Products Council is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES), Provider #G516. Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non AIA members are available upon request. This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. 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 construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Course Description While modern construction techniques are helping designers achieve increasing levels of building performance, increasing durability is one objective that can benefit from lessons of the past. This presentation is based on an independent research project that examined the durability of historic that examined the durability of historic wood buildings in Rome in the context of their construction details. Undertaken by the speaker, Matthew Bronski, over ten months, the project included hands on study of about the hands 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 offer of durability successes and failures, while sharing a series of lessons and principles that can be used to design more durable enclosures.

Learning Objectives 1. Consider how historic wood construction details have succeeded technically, and how they might be applied to modern projects. dh th i htb li dt d t 2. Analyze traditional construction principles for managing water on facades and windows, in order to promote longand order 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 vulnerabilities in exterior wood construction details, promoting performance, long term durability and sustainability.

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

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

What can we learn about durable design from these 100 150 year old houses in US?

What can we learn about durable design from these 300 600 year old buildings? old

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

Vitruvius Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Born c. 80 70 BC Died c. 15 BC Vitruvian Man illustr. De Architectura (The by Leonardo da Vinci Ten Books ) Later (1684) depiction of Vitruvius presenting De Architettura to the Roman Emeror Augustus 10

Vitruvius Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Born c. 80 70 BC Died c. 15 BC Roman Architect (et al) al) Actually an Architect, Engineer (Structural, Mechanical, Environmental, Military), Urban Planner, Master Builder, etc. Vitruvian Man illustr. De Architectura (The by Leonardo da Vinci Ten Books ) Later (1684) depiction of Vitruvius presenting De Architettura to the Roman Emeror Augustus 11

Vitruvius Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Born c. 80 70 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 treatise from classical antiquity (either Greek or Roman) Vitruvian Man illustr. De Architectura (The by Leonardo da Vinci Ten Books ) Later (1684) depiction of Vitruvius presenting De Architettura to the Roman Emeror Augustus 12

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

Project Inspired by the methodology of Vitruvius (Book II). He Studied construction that either proved durable or not Diagnosed WHY Developed and published lessons learned for l l building more durably My approach, goals similar il to develop lessons learned for rehabilitating existing buildings, and constructing new buildings, more durably (and new durably hence more sustainably) G. Fox Building, Hartford (Cass Gilbert, 1917) 15

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

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

Project Overwhelming need for this research in both Historic preservation and hhi i i contemporary architecture Most building envelopes and structures actually succeed or fail at the intermediate scale By better understanding how details and designs work technically, we can better understand how to preserve or design these buildings Failed Succeeded Succeeded Succeeded Failed 18

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

Overwhelming need for this research in contemporary Architecture Current durability issues in Architecture High end to low end Renowned to unknown architects East Coast to West Coast Immediate recognition of issue Stata Center, MIT, Cambridge (Frank Gehry) Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks California (Antoine Predock, 1991) 20

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

Paving new aesthetic ground, and related perils; Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA His Master of Architecture thesis project Modernist notion of bringing the outside in g Enclosed courtyard with seamless in plane (at grade) transition from inside to outside

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

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

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

Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA Investigative work:

Philip Johnson House, 1942, Cambridge MA Solution: Collaborative mock ups of perimeter floor repair i

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

Old South Union Church Original structure lasted 137 years. Why was damage noticed on the rebuilt structure after 7 years?

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

Old South Union Church Solution: Preventative Detailing Little details mean a lot! a lot! Round trim (rondel windows and clock face)

Old South Union Church Solution: Preventative Detailing Little details mean a lot! Shiplap siding on upper spire

Undercurrents throughout this presentation ti 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

Seek to Understand What You See Example TraditionalRoofEave Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Rome 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

Seek to Understand What You See Example TraditionalRoofEave Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Rome 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

Seek to Understand What You See Example TraditionalRoofEave Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Rome 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

Seek to Understand What You See Example TraditionalRoofEave Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Rome 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

Seek to Understand What You See Example Traditional Roof Framing, Rome 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 39

Recognize and Minimize Inherent Vulnerabilities Traditional Roof Framing: Anglo American Anglo-American timber framing: Beautiful, elegant, revered craftsmanship, but has some vulnerabilities... Deep cuts weaken structural members Structuralt failures tend to occur at connections (inherent vulnerability) Very time-consuming to build Traditional timber framing details in New England,1685-1735 (from Abbott Lowell Cummings) 40

Recognize and Minimize Inherent Vulnerabilities Traditional Roof Framing: Anglo American 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 41

Recognize and Minimize Inherent Vulnerabilities Traditional Roof Framing Roman Tradition 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 42

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 43

Perils of NOT Seeking to Understand What You See Ex. Traditional, 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 44

Canary in a coal mine aspect of wood construction Thus, 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 45

Canary in a coal mine aspect of wood construction 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) 46

Canary in a coal mine aspect of wood construction 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) 47

Principles of Durability Enclosure Form finding Which is the more logical, is Inverted Stepped pyramid durable way to build? What does your intuition t iti tell you? Which answer would a study of historic precedent suggest? Stepped pyramid 48

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

Seek to Understand What You See Example TraditionalRoofEave Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Rome Rome Reason for the roof to overhang the wall generously - To protect the wall Casa de Salone Nero (L), Ercolano (Pre 79 A.D.) Via Porta San Pancrazio, Rome 50

Principles of Durability Enclosure Form finding Which is the more logical, durable way to build? Inverted Stepped pyramid Stepped pyramid 51

Principles of Durability Enclosure Form finding Inverted stepped pyramid Not a new modern idea Inverted Stepped pyramid Paul Revere House (1680 83) Boston

Traditional Strategies for Enclosure Form Finding Shed and Shelter 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. 53

Traditional Strategies for Enclosure Form Finding Shed and Shelter Shelter How to make wood durable in a wet climate? «Shed and Shelter» Inverted stepped pyramid form Early 20 th c. house in suburban Boston 15 th c. cottage, Wattle and daub Sussex panel on 16 th c. England (John Shakespear s Fidler photo) House, England (John Fidler photo) 54

Traditional Strategies for Enclosure Form Finding hd Shed and Shelter d hl Renaissance-era building, Venice Shed and Shelter Inverted stepped pyramid form Transferable strategy to other materials Venice streetscapes 55

Principles of Durability Enclosure Form finding Other ways to shed and shelter Variations on a theme Cornice projection strategy The Pantheon, Rome (124 126 A.D.) 56

Principles of Durability Enclosure Form finding Shedding strategy Other ways to shed and shelter Variations on a theme Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza, 16 17 th c. (Palladio, et al) 57

Principles of Durability Enclosure Form finding Shedding strategy Other ways to shed and shelter Variations on a theme Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza, 16 17 th c. (Palladio, et al) 58

Doesn t need to look Historicist to learn durability lessons from historylessons Danieleson Cottage, Mackay Lyons Sweetapple Architects, Nova Scotia Th l f The value of a wrapped, sheltering roof

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

Durable design; Closing Thoughts Vitruvius told us: ALL buildings, whether: Public or private Residential, civic, or utilitarian MUST have all three llth qualities to be architecture 61

Questions? This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course Matthew Bronski Simpson Gumpertz &Heger, Inc. MBBronski@sgh.com This presentation was developed by a third party and is not funded by WoodWorks or the softwood lumber check off. or softwood off