Historic Resources Committee

Original Message------

Greetings,

What thoughts may you folks provide me as I consider the trade that could feasibly create an interior vault to be hung from a steel load-bearing structure, already in-place.

This interior vault, a variation of a groin vault ("una volta a crociera") are in a series for the entire nave of this 19th century church. (The church roof had been completely burned, destroying it.)

The interior vault, e.g. of a steel mesh, hung from the supporting structure would then be finished with a plaster system and decorations?

Thoughts, suggestions?

I appreciate the professional considerations.

DRZ.

Debra:
We build high vaults in various ways these days including using curved Drywall framing systems with site installed drywall sheets and soffits combined with pre-formed GFRG vaults on steel wire supports, both hung from the structure above. The Drywall systems and GFRG are both finished on site. FormGlas is one manufacturer for the GFRG.

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Ethan Anthony AIA
President
Cram and Ferguson Architects
Boston MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2020 18:02
From: Debra Zins
Subject: Interior vault construction

Greetings,

What thoughts may you folks provide me as I consider the trade that could feasibly create an interior vault to be hung from a steel load-bearing structure, already in-place.

This interior vault, a variation of a groin vault ("una volta a crociera") are in a series for the entire nave of this 19th century church. (The church roof had been completely burned, destroying it.)

The interior vault, e.g. of a steel mesh, hung from the supporting structure would then be finished with a plaster system and decorations?

Thoughts, suggestions?

I appreciate the professional considerations.

DRZ.

What you suggest, hanging steel cold rolled channel sections from the superstructure above, using steel wires and rods that form the armature for expanded metal lath would be the plasterer's way of doing the job.  If you are also incorporating gothic ribs, they could be either run in place or bench-made and integrated into the plastering (probably a little easier).  This whole operation would be good practice for your local plasterers and give them something that would challenge their skills and give them a sense of accomplishment and mastery.  We recently did some groin vaulting in a similar manner, but our building was wooden, and the carpenters filled in gaps left by the absence of lathers and built a wooden armature (cheating).  The other manners suggested on this list would also work.

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David Ellison AIA
Principal
The D.H. Ellison Co.
Cleveland OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2020 18:02
From: Debra Zins
Subject: Interior vault construction

Greetings,

What thoughts may you folks provide me as I consider the trade that could feasibly create an interior vault to be hung from a steel load-bearing structure, already in-place.

This interior vault, a variation of a groin vault ("una volta a crociera") are in a series for the entire nave of this 19th century church. (The church roof had been completely burned, destroying it.)

The interior vault, e.g. of a steel mesh, hung from the supporting structure would then be finished with a plaster system and decorations?

Thoughts, suggestions?

I appreciate the professional considerations.

DRZ.

Original Message------

Greetings,

What thoughts may you folks provide me as I consider the trade that could feasibly create an interior vault to be hung from a steel load-bearing structure, already in-place.

This interior vault, a variation of a groin vault ("una volta a crociera") are in a series for the entire nave of this 19th century church. (The church roof had been completely burned, destroying it.)

The interior vault, e.g. of a steel mesh, hung from the supporting structure would then be finished with a plaster system and decorations?

Thoughts, suggestions?

I appreciate the professional considerations.

DRZ.

Debra,
As this is the Historic Resources Committee, I would be inclined to advise you to utilize the material that  was originally in place for these vaults because that would be the approach  most consistent with the Secretary of the Interiors Standards. You didn't say, but I would assume that was plaster, given the age of the building. In that case, David Ellison, AIA is spot on. Of course, that is dependent on the ready availability of skilled labor in  that trade.  If that is not available, then modern substitute materials like GFRG are a reasonable alternative.

------------------------------
Norman Alston, FAIA
Principal
Norman Alston Architects
Dallas, Texas
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2020 18:02
From: Debra Zins
Subject: Interior vault construction

Greetings,

What thoughts may you folks provide me as I consider the trade that could feasibly create an interior vault to be hung from a steel load-bearing structure, already in-place.

This interior vault, a variation of a groin vault ("una volta a crociera") are in a series for the entire nave of this 19th century church. (The church roof had been completely burned, destroying it.)

The interior vault, e.g. of a steel mesh, hung from the supporting structure would then be finished with a plaster system and decorations?

Thoughts, suggestions?

I appreciate the professional considerations.

DRZ.