A Romeo and Juliet balcony, also known as a Juliet balcony, is a type of balcony that is typically shallow in depth and does not have a walking surface. Instead, it consists of a decorative railing or guardrail that extends outward from an exterior door… Read More »Romeo and Juliet Balconies
Last week, we looked at a few different retaining walls that had a strong resemblance to a dry stack stone wall. Retaining walls are rarely created with dry stack stone. For several different reasons, alternative types of wall construction for assembly types are preferred for… Read More »Dry Stack Walls – Part II of II
A few months ago, in the earliest part of the year, still in the late winter, we took a look at a historic stone masonry retaining wall. This wall almost looks like a dry stack wall but it’s not really actually dry stacked stone. Dry… Read More »Dry Stack Wall …or is it?? Part I of II
This past week, we took a look at a historic stone masonry facade, this week we’re going to talk more about the details of restoration, maintenance and upkeep. Starting with that particular building, the process of restoration upkeep and ongoing preservation work on a historic… Read More »Ornate Historic Stone Facade – Part II of II
Today we’re starting an article series of case studies looking at specific historic architectural facades built with mostly masonry elements. In some cases both stone and brick were built in very ornate and decorative style in historic times. These types of facades were a sign… Read More »Ornate Historic Stone Facade – Part I of II
Today, we will continue discussing the construction elements used to build the facade cladding of large commercial buildings in DC. The combined series of from here last week’s and today’s articles follows: Common Primary Building Structures in DC Steel Frame Structures a. Cast-in-place Concrete… Read More »Stone Veneer Cladding Panels – Part II of II
Whenever you’re in a downtown Urban area, like Washington DC or any modern cities, you generally see a variety of high-rise buildings with panel cladding. In some cases those panels are modern metals, but in other cases those panels are stone and the buildings look… Read More »Stone Veneer Cladding Panels – Part I of II
This past week, we examined several different types of heavy steel girders and lintels installed in historic masonry buildings to create large structural openings. Today, we will continue examining similar aspects of this topic, focusing on some of the structural engineering used in the evolution… Read More »Heavy Steel and Iron Girders Carrying Brick Masonry – Part II of II
Masonry and brick construction has been used throughout the world for thousands of years even in remote parts of the world where there have been no interchange or exchange between various disparate peoples. The occurrence of science or technology being invented by people with no… Read More »Heavy Steel and Iron Girders Carrying Brick Masonry – Part I of II
Masonry groin vault ceilings, known for their architectural elegance and structural ingenuity, have a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. These ceilings are characterized by their intersecting barrel vaults, creating a ribbed or groined effect. Found in various architectural styles and structures worldwide, groin… Read More »Masonry Groin Vault Ceilings