Durable(Design;( Lessons(from(Historic( Wood(Structures(€¦ · Structural failures at deeply-cut mortise and tenon connections, American roof framing 42 Anglo-American timber framing:

Durable(Design;(Lessons(from(Historic(Wood(Structures(

Presented:)27)August)2014,))Wood)Solu7ons)Fair)–)Washington)DC)

Ma@hew)Bronski,)PE,)Associate)Principal)Simpson)Gumpertz)&)Heger)

“The)Wood)Products)Council”)is)a)Registered)Provider)with)The)American)Ins7tute)of)Architects)Con7nuing)Educa7on)Systems)(AIA/CES),)Provider)#G516.))!Credit(s))earned)on)comple7on)of)this)course)will)be)reported)to)AIA)CES)for)AIA)members.)Cer7ficates)of)Comple7on)for)both)AIA)members)and)non]AIA)members)are)available)upon)request.)))

This)course)is)registered)with)AIA)CES)for)con7nuing)professional)educa7on.)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)construc7on)or)any)method)or)manner)of)handling,)using,)distribu7ng,)or)dealing)in)any)material)or)product.)___________________________________________

Ques7ons)related)to)specific)materials,)methods,)and)services)will)be)addressed)at)the)conclusion)of)this)presenta7on.))

)

Course(Descrip:on(

While)modern)construc7on)techniques)are)helping)designers)achieve)increasing)levels)of)building)performance,)durability)is)one)objec7ve)that)can)benefit)from)lessons)of)the)past.)This)presenta7on)is)based)on)an)independent)research)project)that)examined)the)durability)of)historic)wood)buildings)in)Rome)in)the)context)of)their)construc7on)details.)Undertaken)by)the)speaker,)Ma@hew)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.)

Learning(Objec:ves(

1.)Consider)how)historic)wood)construc7on)details)have)succeeded)technically,)and)how)they)might)be)applied)to)modern)projects.)

2.)Analyze)tradi7onal)construc7on)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)vulnerabili7es)in)exterior)wood)construc7on)details,)promo7ng)performance,)long]term)durability)and)sustainability.)

)

Opening(food(for(thought?(Learning(from(Historic(Precedent(

Which)is)the)more)logical,)durable)way)to)build?))What)does)your)intui7on)tell)you?)))Which)answer)would)a)study)of)historic)precedent)suggest?))

Stepped)pyramid)

Inverted)Stepped)pyramid)

5

Aher)all,)Today)we)know)much)more)about)the)following)than)our)forebears)centuries)ago:)•  Wood)proper7es)and)behavior)•  Wood)decay)mechanisms)•  Structural)engineering)•  Building)enclosure)design))•  Waterproofing)•  Preserva7ve)treatments)•  Engineered)wood)products)•  Materials)science)•  Etc.,)etc.,)etc.)

)

What(can(we(really(learn(about(durable(design(from(centuries(old(structures?(

What(can(we(learn(about(durable(design(from(these(90?150(year(old(houses(in(US?(

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

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

Vitruvius(

Marcus)Vitruvius)Pollio,))•  Born)c.)80)])70)BC)•  Died)c.)15)BC)

Later)(1684))depic7on)of)Vitruvius)presen7ng)De)Archite@ura)to)the)Roman)Emeror)Augustus)

De#Architectura#(The)Ten)Books”))

“Vitruvian)Man”))illustr.)))))))by)Leonardo)da)Vinci)

10

Vitruvius(


Roman)Architect)(et)al))•  Actually)an)Architect,)Engineer)(Structural,)Mechanical,)Environmental,)Military),)Urban)Planner,)Master)Builder,)etc.)




11

12

Vitruvius(


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)trea7se)from)classical)an7quity)(either)Greek)or)Roman))




Project(

not)a)study)of)Vitruvius,))•  nor)his)trea7se,))•  nor)his)built)work)

)not)a)study)of)how)Roman)buildings)were)constructed))

13

Project(

Inspired)by)the)methodology)of)Vitruvius))(Book))II).))He)

•  Studied)construc7on)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

Project

Inspired)by)the)methodology)of)Vitruvius))(Book))II).))He)

•  Studied)construc7on)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)

•  rehabilita7ng)exis7ng)buildings,)and)•  construc7ng)new)buildings,)more)durably)(and)hence)more)sustainably))

G.)Fox)Building,)Harmord)(Cass)Gilbert,)1917))

15

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)7me)•  Studied)a)wide)range)of)buildings)from)ancient)Rome,)through)Renaissance,)etc.,)to)20th)century)modern)icons)))

16

Project(

My)work)in)U.S.)]))bldgs)span)200)yrs.)My)project)in)Rome)–)bldgs)span)2,000)yrs.)))

•  different)climate,))•  different)construc7on)

)On)Borromini’s)Oratorio)dei)Filippini)(c.)1640))) )Early)archival)photo)of)AAR)Fellows))17

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)

Failed)

Succeeded)Succeeded) Succeeded) 18

19

Overwhelming(need(for(this(research?(in(contemporary(Architecture(

EIFS)(“synthe7c)stucco”))houses)in)the)S.E.)USA)

Highland)District)Hospital,)Hillsboro)OH)

Current)durability)issues)in)Architecture))

•  High]end)to)low]end)•  Renowned)to)unknown)architects)•  East)Coast)to)West)Coast)•  Immediate)recogni7on)of)issue)

20


Thousand)Oaks)Civic)Arts)Plaza,)Thousand)Oaks)California))

Stata)Center,)MIT,)Cambridge))

Current)durability)issues)in)Architecture))

•  High]end)to)low]end)•  Renowned)to)unknown)architects)•  East)Coast)to)West)Coast)•  Immediate)recogni7on)of)issue)


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)demoli7on)debris)from)numerous)replacement)buildings)

Villa)Medici,)Rome)(c.)1544))

Palazzo)Braschi,)Rome)(c.1790))

21

Paving(new(aesthe:c(ground,(and(related(perils;(Philip(Johnson(House,(1942,(Cambridge(MA(•  His)Master)of)Architecture)thesis)project)•  Modernist)no7on)of)bringing)the)outside)in)•  Enclosed)courtyard)with)seamless)in]plane)(at)grade))transi7on)

from)inside)to)outside))

Philip(Johnson(House,(1942,(Cambridge(MA(

•  At)grade)transi7on)from)inside)to)outside)•  Not)a)slab)on)grade!)•  What)technical)difference)does)this)create?)

])Here))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ) )))]))Versus)here?)

Philip(Johnson(House,(1942,(Cambridge(MA(At)grade)transi7on)from)inside)to)outside))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Localized)floor)failure)led)to)inves7ga7on)))


Inves7ga7ve)work:)


Solu7on:)Collabora7ve)mock]ups)of)perimeter)floor)repair)


“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…)

Original)structure)lasted)137)years.))Why)was)damage)no7ced)on)the)rebuilt)structure)aher)7)years?))

Old(South(Union(Church(

Conducted)an)inves7ga7on))Problems)were)less)about)difference)in))the)wood)species)(pine)))More)about)detailing))


Solu7on:)Preventa7ve)Detailing)Li@le)details)mean)a)lot!))Round)trim)(rondel)windows)and)clock)face))


Solu7on:)Preventa7ve)Detailing)Li@le)details)mean)a)lot!)Shiplap)siding)on)upper)spire)


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)

Seek(to(Understand(What(You(See(Example(–(Tradi:onal(Roof(Eave(Detail,(Rome(Very common detail – 1st c. A.D. to early 20th c.

•  Ornamental? Just habit?

34)Traditional Roof Eave Detail, Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere)

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




•  A masterful symphony




•  A masterful symphony •  Even the smallest detail is

evolved


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!

38)7 cm (2-3/4” inch) clay tile overhang, Pallazetto Cenci (16th c.), Rome

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!)

39)Casa de Salone Nero (L), Ercolano (Pre 79 A.D.) Via Porta San Pancrazio, Rome

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…

40)Casa di Dante, Rome (Trastevere) Typical roof framing, Rome

Typical roof framing, Rome

Common Roman truss, antiquity – late 19th c. from J. P. Adam, Roman Building; Materials and Techniques

Recognize(and(Minimize(Inherent(Vulnerabili:es(Tradi:onal(Roof(Framing:(Anglo?(American(

Traditional timber framing details in New England,1685-1735 (from Abbott Lowell Cummings) 41

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

Recognize(and(Minimize(Inherent(Vulnerabili:es(Tradi:onal(Roof(Framing:(Anglo?American(

Structural failures at deeply-cut mortise and tenon connections, American roof framing 42

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)

Recognize(and(Minimize(Inherent(Vulnerabili:es(Tradi:onal(Roof(Framing(–(Roman(Tradi:on(

Traditional Roman truss connections

43

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 19th c. from J. P. Adam, Roman Building; Materials and Techniques

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

Gropius House, window detailing, 1937 – failure Traditional window detailing, 1923 44

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

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

Old barn just down the road Failures of 0-4 year old houses in Southeastern USA

The lesson of drying potential

•  The garage paradox

46

Principles(of(Durability?(Enclosure(Form?finding(

•  Which)is)the)more)logical,)durable)way)to)build?)

•  What)does)your)intui7on)tell)you?))

•  Which)answer)would)a)study)of)historic)precedent)suggest?)

Stepped)pyramid)


47


Which)is)the)more)logical,)durable)way)to)build?))

Stepped)pyramid)


48

Principles(of(Durability?(Enclosure(Form?finding(Which)is)the)more)logical,)durable)way)to)build?))

Stepped)pyramid)


49

50

Principles(of(Durability?(Enclosure(Form?finding(Inverted)Stepped)pyramid)

Paul)Revere)House)(1680]83))Boston)

•  Inverted stepped pyramid •  Not a new modern idea


What traditional details and strategies have evolved, in harsh climates, with exposed non-decay resistant wood, to make it durable over centuries?

15th c. cottage, Sussex England (John Fidler photo)

Vernacular construction, 16th – 19th c., Comune di Ayas, Val D’Aosta (Italian Alps) 51


•  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 panel on 16th c. Shakespear’s House, England (John Fidler photo)

Wattle and daub (lime) interior ceiling on Palazzo Braschi (1790), Rome

52

53

•  How to make wood durable in a wet climate? •  «Shed and Shelter» •  Inverted stepped pyramid

form

Tradi:onal(Strategies(for(Enclosure(Form(Finding(“Shed(and(Shelter”( Early 20th c. house in suburban Boston

15th c. cottage, Sussex England (John Fidler photo)

Wattle and daub panel on 16th c. Shakespear’s House, England (John Fidler photo)

54

Tradi:onal(Strategies(for(Enclosure(Form(Finding(“Shed(and(Shelter”(

Late 17th c. Early 19th c. Late 19th c. Early 20th c.

•  Shed and Shelter •  Inverted stepped pyramid form

•  Common in wood construction across many periods and styles

•  Transferable strategy to other materials

55

Renaissance-era building, Venice

Venice streetscapes

•  Shed)and)Shelter)•  Inverted)stepped)pyramid)form)

•  Transferable)strategy)to)other)materials)

Tradi:onal(Strategies(for(Enclosure(Form(Finding(“Shed(and(Shelter”(

56

•  Other ways to shed and shelter –  Planar wall, shedding

projections

Principles(of(Durability?Enclosure(Form?finding(Cornice)projec7on)strategy)

The)Pantheon,)Rome)(124]126)A.D.))

What(can(we(learn(about(durable(design(from(these(90?150(year(old(houses(in(US?(

58

•  Other ways to shed and shelter –  Shedding projections

from a planar wall


Shedding)strategy) Basilica)Palladiana,)Vicenza,)16]17th)c.)(Palladio,)et)al)))

Doesn’t(need(to(look(Historicist(to(learn(durability(lessons(from(history(Danieleson)Co@age,)Mackay]Lyons)Sweetapple)Architects,)Nova)Sco7a))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)•  Residen7al,)civic,)or)u7litarian)

MUST)have)all)three)quali7es)to)be)architecture

61

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.))

[email protected])781]907]9000)

This#presenta0on#was#developed#by#a#third#party#and#is#not#funded#by#WoodWorks#or#the#so;wood#lumber#check=off.)

Documents

Durable(Design;( Lessons(from(Historic( Wood(Structures(€¦ · Structural failures at deeply-cut mortise and tenon connections, American roof framing 42 Anglo-American timber framing: