Find the Future: Restoration of the Schwarzman Building Exteriors

May 14, 2011

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A three-year, $50 million project to clean and restore the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building’s exterior finished in the spring of 2011. Working with the Library’s Capital Planning & Construction office, teams from architect Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates and general contractor Nicholson & Galloway began by evaluating the structure’s condition. Out of a total of more than 20,000 stone units, they discovered more than 7,000 instances of damage including cracks and chips in the building's signature marble blocks. They also found that pediment sculptures were damaged. This slideshow documents how restorers proceeded to clean the building and repair it.