64th Annual Design & Construction Conference and Trade Show Hosted by the Cleveland Engineering Society

Michael Chesler presented as a guest speaker at the 64th Annual Design & Construction Conference and Trade Show Hosted by the Cleveland Engineering Society on March 3, 2016.

He talked about the standard thinking, challenges, and enjoyment of 19th century architecture and juxtapose this with the ASM restoration of a historic, Modern building, which broke all the rules and caused us to rethink what a historic building is and how it should be renovated.

Abstract from Michael Chesler’s Presentation

The terms “historic building” and “historic redevelopment” come with a clear image of a 19th century brick and masonry building. From an engineering perspective, these buildings were well constructed using local materials and smart, stalwart engineering techniques. Block and tackle, horses, hand tools, and significant amounts of man power were deployed to raise the structure. Most of the engineers in this room have worked on these buildings and have varying degrees of interest, experience, and success with these projects.

In 2012, The Chesler Group, Inc. undertook the complete restoration of a Modern, 1950s vintage building that was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the youngest historic building in the USA undergoing a “historic” rehabilitation. There were no rules at the National Park Service as to how to manage the renovation of the materials, glass, steel, and specialty elements. In fact, the two materials that were considered the most sensitive and “historic” were concrete and glass and the latter is in very short supply in the typical 19th century building.