Custom House Roof and Heritage Masonry Rehabilitation
Kingston, ON
Custom House was originally constructed between 1856 and 1859 for the government of the United Canadas, and was designed by the Montreal, Québec architectural firm of Hopkins, Lawford and Nelson. The subject building is considered to be a fine example of the architectural quality of mid-nineteenth century administrative buildings. Custom House is presently owned and occupied by the Crown.
FSA was initially engaged to investigate and complete an IAR. The screening survey accounted for a 100% visual and tactile arms-length examination (from a lift) of all exterior wall surfaces, including ornamenture. In conjunction with the visual and tactile review, where warranted, stone masonry surfaces were hammer-sounded and / or scraped with a tuckpointing trowel to establish potential locations of delamination, voiding or fragmentation.
Furthermore, while conducting the survey, any encountered fragments of stone or mortar that were judged to be a potential fall risk and that were readily capable of falling from the building façade, were extracted, identified and placed in sealed sample bags for inclusion in the fragment inventory that is presently stored in the basement of the building. FSA then completed an IAR with recommended options and cost estimates. FSA was then awarded the project to design and administer the rehabilitation project.
The subject site was formally classified by FHBRO (Building Report 85-035) as a Federal Heritage Building in 1986.
FSA’s Role
FSA was engaged as the prime consultant to investigate and complete an IAR then designed and administered the rehabilitation project.
