Restoration Project Experience

Augusta City Hall Renovations, Augusta, ME

Renovation of this circa 1890 Historic Building into an assisted living facility. Design includes evaluation of the existing structure and restructuring floors to accommodate 100-year flood level and introduction of a new floor level within the existing auditorium. The new infill floor features a two-story opening to retain and feature the existing stage and proscenium.

Big E New England Exposition, State of Maine Building, Springfield, MA

Project included extensive renovations to this circa 1915 replica of Maine's original state capital. The lobby was gutted and re-framed to provide an open atrium space flanked by offices. The lobby leads to the open exhibition hall featuring a new full-length clerestory intended to flood the hall with natural light, restoring original qualities lost over the years. Project is currently under construction.

Tyson Center, Augusta, ME

Extensive renovations to existing circa 1880 and 1920 buildings at the former AMHI Campus. Buildings have been vacant for several years and are being renovated as State Office Space during renovation of the Capitol Building. Complete review of existing structure for capacity and condition was completed due to the proposed change of use. Work included strengthening of existing framing, removal of bearing walls, installation of elevator and stair tower and support of HVAC equipment.

St Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, Blue Hill, ME

Renovations and additions to this circa 1860 timber framed church. The work includes substantial renovations and additions to provide a new sanctuary, meeting rooms, offices and storage. The project includes an addition of 7,800 SF to the original 2,800 SF building. The project includes evaluation of existing conditions and incorporation of a new lawn terrace supported on a precast hollowcore concrete deck over new meeting rooms below. The project also incorporated several tall retaining walls to integrate sloping site grades into the terrace.

St Mary's Episcopal Church, Northeast Harbor, ME

Structural condition survey of 100-year-old stone church, which has been subjected to thermal and moisture, related deterioration. The church is an ashlar granite veneer with a stone rubble core and a roughcut granite backup. Selective demo revealed a great deal of moisture penetration into the cavity and a loss of the rubble core. Repair recommendations include grouting of "Cintec" wall ties to re-establish the bond between wythes and re-pointing of all exterior joints.

Tate House, Portland, ME

Structural evaluation of the lower level timber framing of this 1755 historic structure located in the Stroudwater area. A condition survey was conducted to determine areas requiring stabilization to prevent further deterioration of the structural and architectural elements.

Dice Head Light, Castine, ME

Structural evaluation of existing loose stone rubble lighthouse built in 1824. Deterioration of the original lime based mortar has allowed the infiltration of water to the interior of the structure and the subsequent displacement of stones. Repairs specified by our firm include deep raking and re-pointing of the surface and low-pressure injection grouting of the interior cavities.

183 State Street, Portland, ME

Structural review and evaluation of existing circa 1878 three story brick and timber structure. Extensively renovated circa 1920, the building was evaluated by BSE to determine the feasibility and structural impact of removing four columns at the first floor to provide a stage and seating area for small performances. Project received 1999 MAIA Design Award.

77 Bates Street Office Building, Lewiston, ME

Gut Renovation of existing circa 1890 Inter-Urban Trolley Building. Work includes 16,800 sf of renovated existing space and 12, 000 sf of new space, including the addition of a new second floor. Structural system of open web steel joists and joist girders support new second floor concrete slabs and steel roof deck. Lateral system utilizes braced frames with moment resisting frames. Existing brick masonry wall construction was utilized wherever possible and historic facade was stabilized and preserved.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE

An existing stone masonry church built circa 1900 with 19,000 sf of interior renovations including restoration of timber roof trusses in the chapel. Also, 23,000 sf of expansion incudes a nursery, offices, classrooms, and a community center. The new addition is a steel frame with CMU infill and a 6" stone veneer. Mr. Becker served as the project engineer for this project while working with another firm.

Portland City Hall Auditorium, Portland, ME

Gut renovation of the existing auditorium including restructuring of the lobby and stage floor, relocation of the Kotzschmar Organ, raising and restructuring of the stagehouse roof to accommodate modern rigging loads, raising and restructuring of the existing balconies to improve sight lines and the addition of a new 8,000 sf rehearsal hall to the rear of the existing building. BSE served as the structural sub-consultant for the contract document and construction administration phases of this project. Project received 1997 MAIA Design Award.

Dilworthtown Inn, Chadds Ford, PA

Engineering assessment of fire damage to an historic circa 1765 restaurant/tavern structure. Provided construction documents detailing repairs and restructuring necessary to return the building to service while maintaining architectural details of the period. Work included reinforcement of original exposed summer beams using steel plates epoxied within the beam to return flexural capacity lost due to severe checking.

44 Water Street, Brunswick, ME

Engineering and Architectural condition survey of circa 1826 timber framed cape with attached ells currently housing the Bath-Brunswick Childcare Services. Extensive field review of existing construction and conditions with code review of capacities were used to develop a rehabilitation and expansion study. Study provided structural recommendations for rehabilitation and a proposed 7,400 sf addition.

Harlow Building – AMHI Campus, Augusta, ME

Condition study and design of renovations to this existing circa 1890 masonry and concrete building located on the grounds of the former AMHI Campus. Renovations include introduction of new elevator, circulation stairs and two-story visitor lobby. Stabilization and restoration of exterior brick walls at dormer and wood framed sun porch

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		Augusta City Hall Renovations, Augusta, ME Renovation of this circa 1890 Historic Building into an assisted living facility. Design includes evaluation of the existing structure and restructuring floors to accommodate 100-year flood level and introduction of a new floor level within the existing auditorium. The new infill floor features a two-story opening to retain and feature the existing stage and proscenium.

		Big E New England Exposition, State of Maine Building, Springfield, MA Project included extensive renovations to this circa 1915 replica of Maine's original state capital. The lobby was gutted and re-framed to provide an open atrium space flanked by offices. The lobby leads to the open exhibition hall featuring a new full-length clerestory intended to flood the hall with natural light, restoring original qualities lost over the years. Project is currently under construction.

		Tyson Center, Augusta, ME Extensive renovations to existing circa 1880 and 1920 buildings at the former AMHI Campus. Buildings have been vacant for several years and are being renovated as State Office Space during renovation of the Capitol Building. Complete review of existing structure for capacity and condition was completed due to the proposed change of use. Work included strengthening of existing framing, removal of bearing walls, installation of elevator and stair tower and support of HVAC equipment.

		St Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, Blue Hill, ME Renovations and additions to this circa 1860 timber framed church. The work includes substantial renovations and additions to provide a new sanctuary, meeting rooms, offices and storage. The project includes an addition of 7,800 SF to the original 2,800 SF building. The project includes evaluation of existing conditions and incorporation of a new lawn terrace supported on a precast hollowcore concrete deck over new meeting rooms below. The project also incorporated several tall retaining walls to integrate sloping site grades into the terrace.

		St Mary's Episcopal Church, Northeast Harbor, ME Structural condition survey of 100-year-old stone church, which has been subjected to thermal and moisture, related deterioration. The church is an ashlar granite veneer with a stone rubble core and a roughcut granite backup. Selective demo revealed a great deal of moisture penetration into the cavity and a loss of the rubble core. Repair recommendations include grouting of "Cintec" wall ties to re-establish the bond between wythes and re-pointing of all exterior joints.

		Tate House, Portland, ME Structural evaluation of the lower level timber framing of this 1755 historic structure located in the Stroudwater area. A condition survey was conducted to determine areas requiring stabilization to prevent further deterioration of the structural and architectural elements.

		Dice Head Light, Castine, ME Structural evaluation of existing loose stone rubble lighthouse built in 1824. Deterioration of the original lime based mortar has allowed the infiltration of water to the interior of the structure and the subsequent displacement of stones. Repairs specified by our firm include deep raking and re-pointing of the surface and low-pressure injection grouting of the interior cavities.

		183 State Street, Portland, ME Structural review and evaluation of existing circa 1878 three story brick and timber structure. Extensively renovated circa 1920, the building was evaluated by BSE to determine the feasibility and structural impact of removing four columns at the first floor to provide a stage and seating area for small performances. Project received 1999 MAIA Design Award.

		77 Bates Street Office Building, Lewiston, ME Gut Renovation of existing circa 1890 Inter-Urban Trolley Building. Work includes 16,800 sf of renovated existing space and 12, 000 sf of new space, including the addition of a new second floor. Structural system of open web steel joists and joist girders support new second floor concrete slabs and steel roof deck. Lateral system utilizes braced frames with moment resisting frames. Existing brick masonry wall construction was utilized wherever possible and historic facade was stabilized and preserved.

		Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE An existing stone masonry church built circa 1900 with 19,000 sf of interior renovations including restoration of timber roof trusses in the chapel. Also, 23,000 sf of expansion incudes a nursery, offices, classrooms, and a community center. The new addition is a steel frame with CMU infill and a 6" stone veneer. Mr. Becker served as the project engineer for this project while working with another firm.

		Portland City Hall Auditorium, Portland, ME Gut renovation of the existing auditorium including restructuring of the lobby and stage floor, relocation of the Kotzschmar Organ, raising and restructuring of the stagehouse roof to accommodate modern rigging loads, raising and restructuring of the existing balconies to improve sight lines and the addition of a new 8,000 sf rehearsal hall to the rear of the existing building. BSE served as the structural sub-consultant for the contract document and construction administration phases of this project. Project received 1997 MAIA Design Award.

		Dilworthtown Inn, Chadds Ford, PA Engineering assessment of fire damage to an historic circa 1765 restaurant/tavern structure. Provided construction documents detailing repairs and restructuring necessary to return the building to service while maintaining architectural details of the period. Work included reinforcement of original exposed summer beams using steel plates epoxied within the beam to return flexural capacity lost due to severe checking.

		44 Water Street, Brunswick, ME Engineering and Architectural condition survey of circa 1826 timber framed cape with attached ells currently housing the Bath-Brunswick Childcare Services. Extensive field review of existing construction and conditions with code review of capacities were used to develop a rehabilitation and expansion study. Study provided structural recommendations for rehabilitation and a proposed 7,400 sf addition.

		Harlow Building – AMHI Campus, Augusta, ME Condition study and design of renovations to this existing circa 1890 masonry and concrete building located on the grounds of the former AMHI Campus. Renovations include introduction of new elevator, circulation stairs and two-story visitor lobby. Stabilization and restoration of exterior brick walls at dormer and wood framed sun porch