Investigation, existing condition analysis, restoration design
WEIR GREENHOUSE
Working closely with an experienced and dedicated team of professionals, we were able to restore the only Victorian commercial greenhouse remaining in New York City. This unique building is New York City Landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Project context
Weir Greenhouse was designed in 1895 by George Curtis Gillespie as a commercial greenhouse providing flowers and wreaths for nearby Green-Wood Cemetery. It is an entirely glass and wroughtiron structure. The roof is composed of a segmental dome on top of a hip roof with secondary gables and cupolas. The most recognizable feature is the striking octagonal cupola.
Though the building remained in use until the 2010s, lack of maintenance and vandalism led to significant deterioration of the structure. In 2012, the building was purchased by Green-Wood Cemetery with the goal of restoring the building and repurposing it as an exhibition and event space within a new visitors and education center.
Key outcomes
The reuse plan required installation of double glazed glass,
as well as sprinklers and electric systems. We analyzed the
frame for modern code loads, with hurricane wind
governing as the most extreme load condition. The dead
load of the structure was increased by the weight of the
new double glazing; the snow laid was increased because the insulated glass now means that the interior heat will no
longer efficiently melt any snow that collects on top. The
light and skeletal iron frame not only had to be able to carry
the increases in load without over stress, it had to meet the
strict deflection requirements necessary to carry the glass
walls and roof without damage.
We found that the frame was originally designed in a
rational manner, with a compression ring at the base of the
dome that allowed the complex geometry to work without
moment connections. Modern modeling and analysis
showed that the design worked as intended, with enough
excess capacity to carry the new loads.