Transcript DAR Library Lay Light Restoration

DAR Library
Lay Light Restoration
A Special Message From
President General
Merry Ann T. Wright
DAR National Headquarters
Iconic Architecture
The striking exterior marble columns and the beautiful DAR Library ceiling are the most
emblematic architectural features of the DAR National Headquarters historic building.
Skylight vs. Lay Light
Lay Light
Skylight
Serious Deterioration Discovered
From the floor of the DAR Library,
the lay light appears fine, but
inspections from the top side of the lay
light reveal structural deterioration
which will require extensive and
immediate restoration.
Architect Evaluation Report
“It is actually remarkable that
pieces of glass have not
fallen to the
Library floor.”
- Quinn Evans Architects
“Keeping The Roof Over Our Heads”
• $1.2 million dollars
• 9 month estimated completion time
• Critical to start project immediately
or risk losing the lay light entirely
• Raising funds through the
President General’s Project
Earthquake Hits Washington, DC
Rare 5.7 magnitude earthquake
damaged National Headquarters
Earthquake Hits Washington, DC
Earthquake damage prompted
inspections that led to discoveries
of deterioration in the lay light
DAR Library Lay Light Problems
Lay Light Structural Deterioration
• Metal webbing - called “zinc cames” - used to keep the glass in place is deformed
• This bowing and bending from the original flat surface is called “displacement”
• Problem caused by gravity and exacerbated by extreme heat and improper
repairs made in the past
• Adds stress to the lay light panels and creates destabilization
DAR Library Lay Light Problems
Cracked Glass
• Extreme displacement has resulted
in glass breakage
• Improper ventilation which led to
extreme heat exacerbated cracking
• Cracks in the panes could become
hazardous by releasing from the zinc
cames and falling to the library floor
DAR Library Lay Light Restoration
Cracked Concrete
Cracking around the steel beams
which hold the panels in place only
serves to further destabilize
support for the panels.
DAR Library Lay Light Problems
Poor Previous Repairs
Support wires were added in
inappropriate locations causing the zinc
cames to pull from the glass adding
stress and causing destabilization.
Improper
placement
Proper placement at an
intersection of zinc cames
DAR Library Lay Light Problems
Deteriorating Cupola
• Blowing rain can enter
the cupola and cause
water leakage resulting
in glass staining
• Improper ventilation
traps in heat
DAR Library Lay Light Problems
Corrosion
• Moisture from leaking cupola has
lead to corrosion
• Severe corrosion has destabilized
the solder joints and zinc cames in
all 25 panels
DAR Library Lay Light Problems
Displacement
The lead panels holding the glass are bowing and bending away from the
horizontal support bar. It should be nearly parallel to the support bar but on
many panels there is significant displacement or “sway”.
DAR Library Lay Light Restoration
• Work could take up to
9 months
• 25 panels of glass to be
removed and restored
individually
• Requires highly
specialized skills
performed by craftsmen
• Scaffolding will be required, but we’ll keep the DAR Library
open and as accessible to researchers as possible!
DAR Library Lay Light Restoration
Restore to Original Historic Beauty
President General’s Project
The DAR Library Lay Light Campaign
will be part of the overall
President General’s Project restoration efforts
Successful roofing projects as well as repairing, restoring and cleaning exterior
areas of the Headquarters complex have been completed but more critical work
is still needed and will only be achieved with your support.
President General’s Project
• Contributions to the President General’s Project
will help support the lay light
project as well as other
important initiatives
• Donor Wall recognition for
those donating the various
designated gift amounts
• Supporters who contribute
$1,000 or more will receive the
Benefactor Pin and special recognition at Congress
Sponsor a Lay Light Square
• 25 seven-foot square panels
• $40,000 donation
(group or individual)
supports the cost for
refurbishing one panel
• Permanent recognition in the
DAR Library will honor those
able to donate the $40,000
required to sponsor a square
DAR Library Lay Light Restoration
Your support will ensure that generations of
future Daughters will be able to cherish the
historic and breathtaking DAR Library lay light.
Thank You!
For more information on how you can
support the President General’s Project
and the DAR Library Lay Light Restoration
contact the DAR Office of Development:
1-800-449-1776
[email protected]
www.dar.org/giving