Improper installation of exterior envelope elements can jeopardize even the best design details and specifications. Such improper installations occasionally reflect inadequate care by the installer, but more frequently, they result from the installer’s misunderstanding of how specific systems should be integrated, or from inadequate coordination between several sub-contractors executing different tasks at the same locations. … Read more
Mount Vernon, Washington Client: SHKS Architects Dates of Service: 2009Project Summary: The exterior masonry of this historic courthouse was displaying extensive degradation, including mortar erosion, cracking, mortar delamination, corrosion of steel lintels, etc. The architectural firm SHKS Architects was retained to prepare construction documents for the needed masonry restoration. PL: BECS Services: PL: BECS, due to its … Read more
Lynnwood, Washington Client: Lynnwood Corporate Center 2 LLC. Dates of Service: 2003-2005 Project Summary: This steel-framed building consists of 4 levels of offices over a post-tensioned concrete-framed garage base. Exterior walls are primarily clad with stone tile, with curtain-wall and store-front window systems. Widespread and persistent leakage began affecting the exterior walls after the building’s completion in … Read more
Juneau, Alaska Client: State of Alaska Dates of Service: 2006, 2010, and on-going Project Summary: Built during the Great Depression, this venerable structure had begun to show its age and the effects of Juneau’s persistently wet, cold climate. Its exterior masonry cladding, comprised primarily of brick, with elements of sandstone, pre-cast concrete, marble, and terra … Read more
Bellevue, Washington Client: Miller-Hull Partnership Dates of Service: 2007-2009 Project Summary: The above-grade portions of the concrete and steel structure of this new Science and Technology building are protected with two different types of metal cladding, curtain-wall and store-front window systems, and a single-ply roof assembly, while sub-grade portions utilize two-layer waterproofing and a sub-slab drainage system … Read more
PL:BECS has been designing, specifying, and supervising the installation of sub-grade wall drainage and waterproofing systems for over a quarter-century, including for various exceedingly-challenging situations, such as for highly-finished, moisture-sensitive spaces submerged well into the site water table and supported atop highly-dynamic, expansive soils. Past designs have spanned the full spectrum of products and assemblies, … Read more
Denver, Colorado Client: Olson Sundberg Architects Dates of Service: 1996 Project Summary: This 3-story residence in Denver’s urban core posed particular challenges due to its complex construction technologies combined with Denver’s severe climate. Its basic structure included cast-in-place concrete sub-grade walls; pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete floor planks; steel decking with concrete slab floors; steel-framed as well as concrete-block walls; … Read more