April 1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

used. Mr. Duvall noted that the State Office still has to do its revue. Mr. Oslon drew a few ,similarities between the Independence Hall project and St. Joseph County's, Second. Courthouse project, noting that they 'both had similar cupolas and the same amount of - deterioration. - Mr. Olson showed drawings and photos that displayed the deteriorated areas of the cupola and the areas that ,were originally covered in cladding. He then stated that if the exposed wood areas were properly painted instead of cladding them then the _ - shadow - lines - that distinguish the individual planks, for which Mr. Duvall had some concern about, would not be visible. Mr. also stated that one of the reasons for the extra cladding was the concern over the inaccessibility of the cupola future painting and repairs._ He referred. to 'the drawing that had the areas'that were originally cladded compared with the new areas to be cladded. Mr. Olson also' noted that the original plans included cladding the shutters- or louvers, however, upon further discussion, with Mr. Duvall they have -decided to table- this particular issue until there is a better understanding of how much_ cladding can be placed on the cupola. ' Mr. Olson passed around an - article from the St. Joseph Valley Register from th 1890s which describes the entire building'and iriore it described the use of cladding on the cupola. He noted that their - primary- concern was to preserve this piece of architectural fabric and that they do not believe that painting will meet this goal. Mr. Olson further noted that paint generally lasts fifteen years at'which time it would have to be painted again which is a difficult and time consuming affair, Mrs. Choitz asked if the original wood that is on the cupola would be retained -, 'repaired and restored as if it were going to remain exposed. Mr. Olson stated that the plan - is to retain as much of the original wood as possible, replacing the' pieces that could not be saved - and sanding, priming and treating the rest. Mrs. Choitz asked the cladding would be made of. Mr. Herceg stated that the cladding would either be made of _turn coated or turn coated stainless steal. Mr. Olson nqted that the reason the cladding ,would be made of a turn coated substance is that such a surface is easily painted and would better replicate the looks of*the cupola. Mrs.-Choitz asked if'the shutters would still be open to - the interior of the cupola. Mr.:Herceg stated that the shutters are not presently open. He further noted that the shutters are very large and that years ago someone placed a board behind the shutters closing all of them, possibly to. keep pigeons out_. Mr. Herceg stated that one of the reasons why they were hoping to. clad the louvers was to install up turn on the back of them to handle wind blown water. This would also leave a big enough gap so that'when the bell is repaired its sound can escape the cupola. Mrs. Choitz asked where air circulation would come from. Mr. Olson stated that in a structure like this one are ,a lot of air! gaps by virtue of its construction. There was some discussion over moisture penetration and how cladding would affect it. Mr. Herceg gave' an example .concerning future maintenance if the structure were simply repainted. He noted the picture of,the courthouse in the Commissioners' Office from 1972 when the entire structure was repainted and in the matter of 25 years it has deteriorated greatly, as the photos submitted with the application have.shown. There was some clarification and discussion over the amount of additional cladding that was being proposed. Mr. Oxian stated that the architects would -- -- -- have to decide - whether - they - were -- going use_ copper or stainless steel cladding. Mr. Herceg stated that they were leaning toward stainless steel.' Mr. Herceg stated that they -are going to use the -turn coated stainless steed because it is more durable and is closer'to the original material. Mr. Oxian - also-stated that if they were going to us the up turn behind the shutters and clad the shutters then that would need to be - included in application. More discussion over the louvers or shutters concerning ihe cladding and wind -blown rain. Mr. Oxian asked if the architects wanted to add the louvers to the 2