Today we’re taking a look at an interesting building in Baltimore Maryland, the Clifton Park Valve House, also known as the Lake Clifton Gate House or Lake Clifton Valve House near the Clifton Lake. This particular building is built from granite stone with a terracotta tile roof, only partially remaining, and has a very interesting history. The historic masonry building is currently condemned and in a state of ruin, yet it is considered an endangered building. The outline of this discussion follows:
History of the Clifton Lake Valve HouseThe Clifton lake valve house is one of the oldest buildings in thus historic American city. There are several buildings that predate this building, but this is definitely one of the architectural historic buildings that should be preserved as a part of the history of the city. The building was constructed in 1887 by the Baltimore City Water Department, and it served as a gatehouse for the Clifton Park reservoir system, which provided drinking water to the city. The gatehouse controlled the flow of water and maintained the reservoir water levels. The contemporary facilities which have replaced this particular valve house are massive and elaborate by comparison. The building can be described as a massive octagonal stone structure. The gray granite stone masonry facade includes large Romanesque archways that alternate with Gothic-style windows. This combination of architectural elements adds to its visual appeal, as an industrial building built with unique architecture. We understand the original construction likely had stained glass windows which suggests that the building had decorative features and intricate detailing. The building includes a turret, which is a small tower-like structure, like many historic brick buildings in DC, that adds verticality and architectural interest to the overall otherwise compact shaped design. The tile roof was originally intricate, with ridges, gable dormers and associate valleys and ridges. The roof structure is supported by a complicated system of iron trusses, which would provide lateral support and stability to the alternating planes of the roof structure. Gothic architecture is an architectural style that emerged in Europe during the High and Late Medieval period, from the 12th to the 16th century. It is characterized by distinct design elements and construction techniques that were prevalent in the Gothic era. There are Gothic architectural styles throughout Washington DC’s historic neighborhoods. Some key features and characteristics of Gothic style architecture are listed below: Pointed Arches: One of the defining features of Gothic architecture is the use of pointed arches. These arches replaced the round arches commonly found in Romanesque architecture. Pointed arches allowed for greater height and verticality in buildings, creating a sense of upward movement and spaciousness. Ribbed Vaults and Flying Buttresses: Gothic architecture employed ribbed vaults, which are intersecting arches that create a framework of support for the ceiling or roof. These vaults distributed the weight of the structure more effectively, allowing for larger open spaces and taller buildings. Flying buttresses were exterior supports that transferred the thrust of the vaulted ceilings outward and downward, helping to counteract the lateral forces and maintain structural stability. Verticality: Gothic architecture emphasized verticality, aiming to reach higher and create a sense of spiritual aspiration. Tall and slender proportions were achieved through the use of pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and soaring spires. The vertical emphasis was further enhanced by the use of clustered columns and vertical tracery in windows. Stained Glass Windows: Gothic architecture is renowned for its expansive stained glass windows. These windows were composed of vibrant colored glass held together by intricate stone tracery. They allowed a profusion of colored light to enter the interior spaces, creating a heavenly and awe-inspiring ambiance. Ornamentation and Decoration: Gothic buildings often featured rich and intricate ornamentation. This included detailed stone carvings, sculptures, finials, and gargoyles. Decorative elements were used to embellish the facades, portals, and interiors of the buildings, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic prowess of the time. Gothic architecture often employed ashlar granite stone masonry construction, such as at this valve house in Clifton Park, and particularly in the construction of cathedrals, churches, and other monumental structures. Granite is a type of igneous rock known for its durability and strength, making it well-suited for construction purposes. It is composed of interlocking mineral crystals, primarily quartz, feldspar, and mica. Granite’s hardness and resistance to weathering made it a preferred choice for monumental structures in Gothic architecture. Granite stoneworks can be cut with modern power tools, but it is particularly difficult to break, compared to other common stones in the DC area such as limestone and sandstone. The ashlar granite masonry provided structural stability to Gothic buildings. The fitting of stones and the interlocking rectilinear nature of the construction added strength and stability against lateral forces. This was particularly important for tall and wide, in the case of the Clifton Park example, structures with vaulted ceilings, as it helped distribute the weight of the building evenly. What it means to be an endangered buildingSimilar to Washington, DC’s Preservation Leauge some of the literally thousands of historic buildings in ruin in Baltimore, a handful are listed by organizations like Preservation Maryland as buildings which are desired to be preserved. Here on our website, we often discuss the concern about building deterioration and particularly unique elements of historic architecture that are being lost to deterioration in Washington DC. By comparison the city of Baltimore has an incredible amount of historic buildings that are withering away, in ruin. Once they are gone, they will not be replaced with something of real historic significance. Once that history is lost it’s lost to all of us, forever. It’s worth preserving the historic buildings in DC and in oher historic cities on the east coast of America. However, before we wake up and recognize this unique opportunity it will likely be too late. Preservation Maryland explains: “Baltimore City has done little to tend to the maintenance needs of the building over the years. The steel roof truss system is rusting away which has led to the loss of number roof tiles, and the stain glass windows are all but gone. The Department of Recreation and Parks has a hard time maintaining the structures in their care that get used on a regular basis, so there are no funds available for maintenance on the Valve House. To remain viable the building needs to remain functional in the 21st century.” The apathy and mindset of poverty is incredibly sad. The reality is that funds are available, but have been given away as tax cuts to the wealthiest of us. What it means to be an endangered building is that the building will likely not be saved nor will be around much longer. Ashlar vs. Rubble MasonryRubble masonry, an assembly of irregularly shaped stones held together with mortar, was often because of its cost-effectiveness, speed of assembly and adaptability. In contrast to the precise workmanship of ashlar masonry, rubble masonry’s advantage is just in the speed and therefore lower cost of construction, and the more readily available accessibility of local materials. The stability of rubble masonry assemblies are dependent more on the characteristics of the mortar and the quality of application. This construction style is prevalent in historic building foundations in DC because of the ease of sourcing local materials, cost-effectiveness, and its ability to conform to varying ground conditions. Rubble masonry predates ashlar masonry in terms of historical usage. The earliest known uses of rubble masonry can be traced back to ancient civilizations where irregularly shaped stones were used in construction. In ancient times, builders employed local materials and simple techniques, resulting in the use of uncut or minimally shaped stones bonded with mortar. Examples of early uses of rubble masonry can be found in ancient structures such as megalithic tombs, where large, uncut stones were arranged to form burial chambers. Additionally, early city walls and fortifications often utilized rubble masonry due to its simplicity and the availability of raw materials. On the other hand, ashlar masonry, identified by precisely cut and dressed stones laid in regular courses, emerged later in architectural history. Its widespread use became prominent during periods like Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, showcasing a higher level of craftsmanship and precision. The Parthenon in Athens, constructed in the 5th century BCE, is an early example of ashlar masonry, showcasing the refined and symmetrical appearance made possible by precisely cut stones. Details of the Structural constructionThe structural elements of the building are relatively straightforward. Unlike some more contemporary type or styles of buildings there are no cantilevered elements or elements that are suspended with bearing using horizontal load transfer. We talked about the fact that this building is octagonal shaped common meaning that the walls meet at 135° angles. The interior angles of a regular octagon sum up to 1,080 degrees. Since all angles are equal in a regular octagon, this total sum can be divided by the number of angles. In this case, dividing 1,080 by 8 angles yields 135 degrees for each individual angle in an octagon. Therefore, each angle within a regular octagon measures 135 degrees. As we discussed. both Gothic and Roman arches are used at the window and door or portal openings of the building. The structural implications of a Gothic arch and a Roman arch, also known as a rounded arch, differ slightly The Gothic arch, with its pointed shape, is a hallmark of Gothic architecture and contributes to a vertical aesthetic emphasis. This design allows for a more vertical rise in each respective opening as well. In contrast, the Roman arch, with its semicircular header, creates a broad and rounded profile. From a structural perspective the load path around a Roman arch spreads and applies more horizontally. Roman arches often rest on solid piers or columns, emphasizing stability through mass. This architectural style allows for the support of expansive spaces, such as domes and barrel vaults, creating an open and horizontally oriented environment. Framing of the roofA typical hip octagonal roof is framed, principally with hip and jack rafters. The hip rafters run at each of the 8 hips. Normally, and a typical hip roof where there is a ridge, common rafters run perpendicular to the ridge. In this case though as all 8 rafters hip rafters were to meet at the cupola area of the roof instead of a ridge, there would be no common rafters, between each hip rafter that it would instead be Jack rafters. However, this particular building doesn’t follow any of the typical rules because the framing of the roof is done with steel and not typical carpentry and wood. It’s likely that the building was built with steel instead of wood because of the extra large spans. Unlike a typical regular sized building used for commercial, offices, and even residential purposes, this building is many times larger and has much greater distances and spans between the runs of the roofing elements. It was then and still is difficult to procure and source very long and large timbers and beams. Iron tie web to provide spread restraintThe use of an iron tie web in the wood framing of a large octagonal roof serves the purpose of providing spread restraint and structural stability. In an octagonal roof, the complex geometry and expansive spans can lead to outward thrust forces that need to be controlled to prevent the structure from spreading or collapsing. An iron tie web is a structural element that helps address these forces. Spread restraint refers to the prevention of the roof structure from spreading outward. In an octagonal roof, the horizontal forces generated by the weight of the roof and external loads can exert pressure on the supporting walls. The iron tie web acts as a tie beam, resisting these outward forces and maintaining the structural integrity of the roof. The iron tie web is typically installed at the lower portion of the roof structure, connecting the bottom chords of the roof trusses or rafters. It functions as a tension member, absorbing the horizontal forces and converting them into compression forces within the iron member, a form of compression restraint. Iron was, in this case, chosen for its high strength and load-bearing capacity, and because iron was one of the few materials available at the time which was not limited or constrained in length or could be connected effectively without a significant reduction in strength capacity. It can effectively withstand tension forces, providing an effective solution for restraining the spread of the roof structure. The iron tie web is built with diagonal bracing at almost each perimeter connection point. Diagonal members are strategically placed within the roof framing to form triangles, a geometric configuration that enhances stability. These diagonal braces resist lateral forces and contribute to the overall rigidity of the roof system. Historic masonry upkeep and preservationTo properly maintain, repair, and care for these historic buildings, a knowledge, interest and understanding of historic building principles is required. Here in Washington DC, historic masonry buildings are extremely expensive and the amount of financial loss caused by improper repointing and low quality construction is staggering. However, in addition to the direct financial value of the property, there is also a cultural loss when historic buildings are damaged. By comparison, consider neighboring poor cities, when historic buildings are damaged, it’s not just the loss of value to the property owner, there’s also a loss to all inhabitants and visitors of a city, present and future, who care about architecture, history, and culture. We encourage all of our clients, and all readers of this article and to our blog in general, to prioritize the historic built environment of Washington DC and neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown and become educated on on the difference between proper historic preservation versus improper work which leads to significant damage to the historic fabric of a building. From a conservation and preservation perspective, several approaches can be taken to improve conditions related to deteriorated historic brick masonry. Primarily, lime mortar brick joints and low temperature fired soft red clay bricks should be inspected and checked on a routine maintenance schedule, either seasonally or at least annually. If brick masonry is kept in good condition, the life of embedded wood elements can be significantly extended. Hire a professional contractor which specializes, understands and appreciates historic construction elements and buildings. You can learn a lot more on our blog. Feel free to check it out. If you have questions about the historic masonry of your building in Washington DC, contact us or fill out the webform below and drop us a line. We will be in touch if we can help. <p>The post Clifton Park Valve House first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/clifton-park-valve-house/
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About UsInfinity Design Solutions LLC (IDS) is a full service general contracting company in the heart of the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. We focus on repair and renovation of buildings and facilities in both historic designated neighborhoods and the commercial-zoned central business district of the city. Follow Us
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