PROJECT INFORMATION

CLIENT: Filoli
LOCATION: Woodside, California

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The classic Clock Tower of the Filoli estate has graced the renowned gardens for almost a century. An iconic symbol of this National Trust property in Woodside, California, the Christopher Wren-inspired clock tower has four hand-painted clock faces, a lead dome over a round colonnade, and a three-foot-tall rooster weathervane. But over the years, time had stripped much of the Tower's luster. Water and termites had ravaged the Tower and its supporting structure, metal bracing had been ungraciously attached to its exterior to prevent the Tower from toppling over.

As no drawings of the Tower existed, the architects worked from 50-feet-high cherry pickers to measure, photograph, and document the structure, and to note areas where water had damaged the structure. Where areas of decay were noted, the architects performed forensics studies in the field to determine the causes, so they could detail a proper solution. They developed a large-scale section drawing to illustrate how the structure was originally constructed, and the repairs that would be needed. Fieldwork was conducted by contractors, engineers, and the architects on a three-story scaffolding, which also became the platform for doing the repair work.

HOW CAW DID THIS

• CAW did extensive field investigations, although access was extremely difficult. Working from high above the ground, the architects documented all of the existing construction and the areas in need of repair.
• Working with a team of experts, CAW developed methods of repair that allowed existing historic materials to remain in place. Materials with significant decay were repaired using a two-part wood epoxy.
• CAW's strategy focused on the repair of damaged materials rather than replacement. Materials were only replaced when wood was beyond repair, and in that case, new material was specially milled to match the original artifact.
• CAW also developed methods of repair for the lead dome that allowed the decorative covering to remain in place during the repair process.

KEY PARTICIPANTS

STRUCTURAL: Rinne and Peterson Structural Engineers, www.rpse.com
CONTRACTOR: Plant Construction, www.plantconstructioncompany.com

PROJECT INFORMATION

CLIENT: Filoli
LOCATION: Woodside, California

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The classic Clock Tower of the Filoli estate has graced the renowned gardens for almost a century. An iconic symbol of this National Trust property in Woodside, California, the Christopher Wren-inspired clock tower has four hand-painted clock faces, a lead dome over a round colonnade, and a three-foot-tall rooster weathervane. But over the years, time had stripped much of the Tower's luster. Water and termites had ravaged the Tower and its supporting structure, metal bracing had been ungraciously attached to its exterior to prevent the Tower from toppling over.

As no drawings of the Tower existed, the architects worked from 50-feet-high cherry pickers to measure, photograph, and document the structure, and to note areas where water had damaged the structure. Where areas of decay were noted, the architects performed forensics studies in the field to determine the causes, so they could detail a proper solution. They developed a large-scale section drawing to illustrate how the structure was originally constructed, and the repairs that would be needed. Fieldwork was conducted by contractors, engineers, and the architects on a three-story scaffolding, which also became the platform for doing the repair work.

HOW CAW DID THIS

• CAW did extensive field investigations, although access was extremely difficult. Working from high above the ground, the architects documented all of the existing construction and the areas in need of repair.
• Working with a team of experts, CAW developed methods of repair that allowed existing historic materials to remain in place. Materials with significant decay were repaired using a two-part wood epoxy.
• CAW's strategy focused on the repair of damaged materials rather than replacement. Materials were only replaced when wood was beyond repair, and in that case, new material was specially milled to match the original artifact.
• CAW also developed methods of repair for the lead dome that allowed the decorative covering to remain in place during the repair process.

KEY PARTICIPANTS

STRUCTURAL: Rinne and Peterson Structural Engineers, www.rpse.com
CONTRACTOR: Plant Construction, www.plantconstructioncompany.com