Behind the Scenes: Treasures of New York

After working on St. Patrick Cathedral’s conservation for the past 9 years, BCA’s work culminated in a visit by Pope Francis in September. Recognized for our contribution in over 5 publications, BCA’s role was most notably highlighted in the PBS documentary series Treasures of New York produced by WLIW/WNET. 

Ray Pepi & Michele Boyd were filmed at BCA New York in March 2015. Michele spoke about the history of the Cathedral while Ray described the conservation process. Here’s a behind the scenes look at the filming process. 

A view of the live feed of Michele Boyd being interviewed in the BCA NY library. 

Danius (seated) shows off his beautiful drawings of St. Patrick’s for the cameras.

Ray (on the right) being interviewed in the the BCA NY laboratory.

Getting the perfect shot through the office skylight.

Andrea Gilmore honored by BCA

Giving Thanks! On November 20th, BCA honored Andrea Gilmore for her 20 years of service directing BCA's New England office. Andrea is retiring at the end of this year. We are so thankful for her leadership and look forward to building on her legacy with Lisa Howe on board as the new Director of BCA NE. 

The party was hosted at the Waterworks Museum in Chestnut Hill, MA. 

Pictured (from l to r): Dorothy Krotzer, Director, BCA South; Lisa Howe, Director, BCA NE; Claudia Kavenagh, Director, BCA NY; Andrea Gilmore, Director, BCA NE; and Raymond Pepi, President of BCA.

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Building Conservation Associates, Inc.

Photo of the Month

June 2015

Winning Entry

Name:        Melissa McGrew

Title:          Ferdinand's "Blue Store" Terra Cotta Facade
Description: "Photo shows the historic facade (c. 1887) of the main building on Warren Street, prior to reincorporation with the two other historic facades around the corner that now comprise the headquarters for Boston Public Schools."
Date:          October 2012
Location:   Dudley Square Municipal Office Facility
(adaptive re-use), Roxbury, Boston, MA

See prior winners here.

Photo of the Month

May 2015

Winning Entry

Name:        Assya Plavskina

Title:          Soffit of the Cleft Ridge Span Bridge
Description: "One of the oldest extant cast stone structures in the United States."
Date:          October 2014
Location:   Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

See prior winners here.

Photo of the Month

April 2015

Winning Entry

Name:        Laura Buchner

Title:          The Oyster Bar After Restoration
Date:          February 2014
Building:   Grand Central Terminal
Location:   New York, NY

See prior winners here.

Photo of the Month

March 2015

Winning Entry

Name:        Claudia Kavenagh

Title:          Chris Gembinski at Work
Date:          July 2013
Building:   Masonic Temple
Location:   Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Description: "As a part of the survey, we used a pachometer as a non-destructive evaluation technique to search for subsurface metal anchorage."

See prior winners here.

Photo of the Month

February 2015

Winning Entry

Name:        Lauren Drapala

Title:          View From the Altar
Date:          April 2014
Building:   Unity Temple
Location:   Oak Park, IL

See prior winners here.

Photo of the Month

Summer 2014

Winning Entry

Name:        Claudia Kavenagh

Title:          Multifoils Ad Infinitum
Date:          Fall 2013
Building:   Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
Location:   New York, NY

See prior winners here.

Photo of the Month

March

Winning Entry

Name:        Lisa Harrington

Title:          At the Cornice

Date:          October 2008

Building:    Ames Hotel

Location:    Boston, MA

At the cornice of the Ames Hotel, the mason doing repairs took it upon himself to give this guy a set of Jahn buckies.

February

Winning Entry

Name:            Lauren Drapala
Title:              Surveying Fort Sumter
Date:              December 2013
Building:       Fort Sumter
Location:      Charleston, SC

Dorothy Krotzer, Director of BCA South, is shown walking along the parapet wall of Fort Sumter. This important Civil War fortification is entirely surrounded by Charleston Harbor. BCA's survey of the masonry required inspection from the ground, ramparts, and by boat.

January

Winning Entry

Name:         Cory Trembath Rouillard

Title:           Construction Commencement Ceremony
Date:           September 17, 2013
Building:     The Filene's Building
Location:     Boston, MA

BCA is responsible for the exterior restoration of the Filene's Building, including the white and green terra cotta visible in the photo, and the massive wood windows.  The ceremony, which included a speech by Mayor Thomas Menino, is for both the restoration of the 1912 Filene's Building (already well underway) and the construction of the 60 story glass Millenium Tower next door.  The Filene's Building, which has stood empty for a number of years now, is a beloved iconic building in the heart of Boston.  Its restoration promises to help revitalize the Downtown Crossing neighborhood. Read more here: http://bit.ly/1jcsRwy

November

Winning Entry

Name:           Assya Plavskina

Title:             Dean in the Attic of St. Patrick's Cathedral
Date:             June 18, 2013
Building:      St. Patrick's Cathedral
Location:      New York, NY

October
Winning Entry

Name:           Laura Buchner

Title:             Surveying at St. John's
Date:             2013
Building:      Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
Location:      New York, NY

September
Winning Entry

Name:      Ric Viera

Title:        Our Friend Kissed by an Angel

Date:        May 6, 2004

Building:  Columbus Monument

Location:  New York, NY

It was the statue of Discovery (the Angel ) that appears to be kissing [Richard] him. It is located at the Columbus Circle monument at 59th street Columbus Circle. It was taken on May 6, 2004, and it will be a moment that I will never forget.

Central Park Police Precinct Renewed

Central Park Police Precinct, the Stable Complex

The restoration of Central Park Police Precinct is being honored this month by the New York Landmarks Conservancy with a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award. This is the story of how a mid-19th century Victorian horse stable, designed by the architects of Central Park, was adapted to serve the needs of a technologically modern police precinct. It would not have happened without the enlightened support of NYC's Department of Design and Construction and the Police Department, whose CP Precinct is now happily ensconced inside a new two story glass atrium enveloping part of the original building as though it were a precious museum object--and it is. The design team of Karlsberger Architecture (Fred Basch, Fred Basch Architect, PLLC), Building Conservation Associates, Inc., and Robert Silman Associates, is especially proud of the restoration's harmonious balance between new functions and historic features. The respectful intersection of old and new does not detract from the historic character of the buildings, because it can still be experienced in its entirety. This modern intervention assures active, respectful stewardship, and illustrates how preservation is relevant in today’s world. 

Travelogue: Mona Island

The picturesque Mona Island lighthouse (1900), often attributed to the designer Gustave Eiffel, is still standing, but rust is steadily replacing iron. It stopped functioning as a lighthouse in 1976 when it was replaced by an automated signal. Given its condition it must be among the most endangered lighthouses in the United States.

Central Park West Townhouse Restoration

Central Park West Townhouse Returned To Its Former Glory 
After a fire and insensitive rehab this CPW gem is restored

248 Central Park West, after restoration

248 Central Park West is a five-story townhouse constructed in 1887 to the design of Edward B. Angell. The building is a masterful example of its type and aside from its attractive and delicately balanced form, exhibits architectural stone carving of the highest caliber. The conservation of the stone bas-reliefs, along with the entire façade, represents an important achievement given their singular quality.