[MassHistPres] RFP technical analysis of 1848 building w/ wrought iron roof & cast iron stairs

[Dennis De Witt]

The Town of Brookline, Massachusetts, has a presently open Request for  
Proposals (RFP) to select a qualified consultant to prepare a  
conditions assessment with architectural/engineering plans for the  
Brookline Reservoir Gatehouse.  The primary requirement is for a  
technical assessment by a firm highly qualified and experienced in the  
analysis of historic wrought iron and cast iron structures.  Analysis  
of historic masonry structures, including those under water is also  
required.  Historic research has already been largely completed and is  
not a primary consideration.

The Brookline gatehouse of the Cochituate Aqueduct was completed in  
1848.  Recent research indicates that it has the oldest known  
surviving US example of a wrought iron truss roof and wrought iron  
roof deck.  Its symmetrical pair of cast iron staircases are also  
among of the earliest known surviving examples of their kind in the  
US.  In addition to its national significance for these engineering  
and technical features, the building is a highly visible landmark and  
key component in Boston’s first public water system.

Its granite exterior is substantially intact.  Enough interior fabric  
survives to provide templates for potential restoration of the  
interior.  The purpose of this  assessment is to establish plans for  
the structural stabilization of its roof, stairs, and masonry for the  
building's eventual adaptive reuse.

The 21 wrought iron roof trusses and its continuous wrought iron roof  
deck as well as the symmetrical pair of cast iron staircases are  
original and remarkable survivors.  The building has stood empty for  
several decades and has suffered from water intrusion, leading towards  
structural failure, through built in roof gutters (now covered) . Much  
of the original interior molding and plaster walls have been removed,  
but sections survive to document original finishes. It is the  
intention of the town to develop plans to rehabilitate this structure  
while leaving the originally hidden roof structure exposed to public  
view.

The approximately 40’ x 26’ two story building is half buried in, and  
forms part of, the dam of the reservoir.  Its lower level contains  
gate valve chamber(s) and is filled with water to a depth of about 22  
ft.  The front quarter of the lower level is the stair hall.  Between  
the stair hall and valve chamber is an approximately 26 foot high pipe  
chamber, extending approximately 14 feet below grade and below the  
stair hall, whose granite slab roof serves as a portion of the floor  
above and whose rear wall is at that point, is the face of the dam.  
The pipe chamber is traversed by three very large cast iron pipe,  
which together originally fed Boston’s major reservoirs.

The immediate objective is stabilization and preservation, rather than  
full restoration.
With respect to the roof, the prime objective of this study is to  
determine the means necessary to stabilize and support it in place so  
that it survives, substantially intact, as the building’s functioning  
load-bearing roof structure, while its original form remains visually  
comprehendible.  Whatever support elements may be introduced should be  
easily distinguished from the historic fabric so that remedial  
measures are clearly discernible from original features, which will  
remain visible.

With respect to the cast iron stairs the prime objective of this study  
is to determine the means necessary to stabilize and support them,  
with minimal visual impact,

The external masonry should be stabilized with grouting and/or tuck- 
pointing both to stabilize it and to minimize the transmission of  
reservoir water through the joints, as a means of reducing as much as  
possible the humidity level in the building.

The complete RFP and additional can be obtained from Greer Hardwicke  
at the Brookline Preservation Commission:

greer_hardwicke at town.brookline.ma.us

There will be a site visit for those making proposals on Thursday Nov.  
13.  Other times can be arranged.

An historical study and a description of existing conditions are  
available.

This study is being funded by a matching grant from the Massachusetts  
Historical Commission.



Dennis De Witt

Brookline Preservation Commission