The grand entrance through an ionic portico brings visitors into a vaulted rotunda with a domed stained-glass skylight. During rainstorms, water entered at this skylight and damaged the ornate interior finishes, consisting of plaster on lathe with gold leaf ornamentation. Water stains spread along the west wall of the rotunda from ceiling to floor, and paint and wallpaper peeled from the walls. In addition, the area at the intersection between the addition and the original building had begun to leak so heavily during rainstorms that staff placed buckets in the reading room to collect the water.
To restore and preserve the historic building, the library retained Hoffmann Architects + Engineers to conduct an investigation into the sources of water infiltration. Through site visits during weather events, water infiltration testing, and analysis of building conditions, Hoffmann’s design professionals determined the probable causes of observed leaks and presented their findings in a detailed survey report. Subsequently, the library retained Hoffmann to provide design documents, bidding assistance, and contract administration services for the recommended repairs to roofing and drainage components.
Hoffmann was then retained to design and oversee restoration of the historic rotunda skylight. Work included removal and abatement of asbestos-containing materials, glazing replacement, restoration of ornamentation, replacement of copper flashings and surrounds, and re-setting of existing terra cotta tile roofing. The restoration and water infiltration remediation projects served not only to address active leaks, but also to prevent future water intrusion from threatening this cornerstone of historic Naugatuck.
