Sallishah Ali | Walter B. Melvin Architects

I returned to Walter B. Melvin Architects, where I spent two years prior to graduate school working on the façade restoration of early 19th-century mid-rise (12 to 15 stories) buildings in New York City. I returned for six weeks as Senior Restoration Staff where my time was split between fieldwork and construction document preparation. I attended weekly inspections/ meetings for the ongoing roof replacement of Casa Italiana, at Columbia University. (Image 1) During my time on this job site, I documented the work progress by taking pictures and notes for the meeting minutes. I also worked on drawings for the layout of the pavers for the flat roof at the north and additional flashing details for the dormers as the copper cladding installation was underway. I prepared construction documents for the upcoming façade restoration for the Bayard-Condict Building. I helped compile and review the scope of work for the replacement and repair of the terra cotta. Based on what I reviewed from the condition survey notes and photographs, I relied on the diagnostic thinking process I was exposed to in Building Pathology (HSPV 5510) and subsequently raised questions in meetings regarding what I deemed may require further investigation.  For this project, I also assisted in verifying the existing stock of replacement cast stone units the client had in storage. (Image 2) I prepared existing drawings of a flagpole apparatus for its potential reinstatement at One Union Square West, also known as the Lincoln Building. I went on-site to survey the existing conditions and prepare the “request for information,” to receive pricing on servicing the flagpole to help determine its maintenance feasibility. Additional tasks between the projects with longer durations included surveying existing site conditions, waterproofing inspections, and monitoring a water infiltration test. Overall, the experience of returning to my former place of work was made worthwhile as my graduate school education allowed me to have a fresh perspective on condition surveying and construction document preparation.