Preserving ancient historyKate Gawlik
In addition to being known for the Bulls and Bears (who did
quite well this year), deep-dish pizza, the Magnificent Mile and
extreme weather, Chicago also is known for its world-renowned
museums, such as the Field Museum of Natural History, Art Institute
of Chicago and Shedd Aquarium. A museum that often is overlooked,
despite its 60,000 visitors per year, is the Oriental Institute
Museum, which is part of The University of Chicago.
Photos courtesy of CertainTeed Corp., Valley
Forge, Pa.
The Oriental Institute is a museum and research organization
that focuses on the ancient Near East. The institute's building was
built in 1931 and houses galleries; artifact storage and museum
archive sections; a conservation laboratory; archaeological study
areas; space for seminars, docent events and public programs; and
professors' offices. Since 1996, the building has been under
construction for renovation and expansion projects, but it was
occupied during the work. In 1999, the building's roof system began
to leak into the museum's reading room and other areas. Upon
inspection by NRCA member INSPEC Inc., Milwaukee, it was discovered
that the problem wasn't the existing clay tile roof system.
Instead, it was determined the 3 1/2-inch- (87.5-mm-) thick
concrete deck, which was bowing, was the source of the leaks.
NRCA member Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving Co. Inc., Harvey,
Ill., took on this high-profile project. The company's crew members
removed the existing clay tile roof system and precast concrete
roof deck panels that total 28,000 square feet (2520 m²). The
company modified existing structural deck supports and installed a
new 18-gauge steel roof deck, as well as a tile roof system. The
Oriental Institute also features low-slope single-ply roof systems
totaling 6,000 square feet (540 m²), which Knickerbocker
Roofing and Paving...
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