b'BUILDING RESTORATIONINTERIOR RESTORATION WORK AT TORONTOS ICONIC MASSEY HALL, WHICH FIRST OPENED IN 1894LIVINGHISTORYTHE SPECIALIZED ART OF RESTORATION By Sarah B. HoodIN APRIL 2019, THE WORLDnot only rebuilding with original materials,MASSEY HALLWAS SHOCKED BY THE FIRE ATbut also removing alterations made sinceCurrently, EllisDon Corporation is NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL IN PARIS THATthe building was erected. Rehabilitationrenovating Massey Hall, which of course DEVOURED IRREPLACEABLE 800-YEAR- allows for new building materials to behas been dear to the hearts of Toronto OLD TIMBERS, POURED RIVERS OFused but strives to reproduce the lookconcertgoers since it first opened in MOLTEN LEAD INTO THE BUILDINGof the original, while preservation refers1894. KPMB Architects is overseeing the INTERIOR AND DESTROYED THE ICONICto protecting building elements withoutreimagining of this beloved icon, which CENTRAL SPIRE. The process of repairingattempting to hide or undo the effectsincludes replacing, refurbishing and one of the worlds most famous andof aging. reconfiguring seating; restoring stained beloved buildings will require a complexglass windows; rehabilitating the plaster blend of expertisefrom the scientificRegardless of the approach, this type ofceiling and the exterior brick, stone and analysis required to match antiquework poses unique challenges, includingmetalwork; and constructing a nine-storey building materials, to the public-relationsthe presence of designated substances;addition to the south. In addition, one plan needed to ensure that the rebuildstructural issues beneath fragile finishes;of the major features is the cantilevered will satisfy the public, especially Parisians,a lack of detailed or accurate as-builtpassarelles being added to the east and for whom the cathedral is a dear andrecords; a shortage of workers with thewest elevations of the Hall, which have historic landmark. needed skills; critical elements thatreplaced the aged steel fire-escape stairs no longer conform to building codes;in order to satisfy current building-code Whether the project is a world treasurestrict and lengthy approvals processes;exiting requirements, says construction like Notre-Dame or a mid-century modernand unique scheduling considerationsmanager Zyad Arous.office building in Toronto, the first stepnecessitated by all of the above. in renovating an older building is toThe Instagram-worthy glass-enclosed choose the fundamental approach to theThus, the construction companies thatpassarelles (or skywalks) will allow project. Broadly speaking, there are fourengage in this type of work are a specialaudiences more mingling space and possibilities. Reconstruction generallybreed. Its a nuanced business, says TCAexterior views, but the decision to remove means rebuilding, but using materialspresident and CEO John Mollenhauer. Itsthe fire escapes exemplifies the tough as close as possible to the originals.specialization thats paying big dividendschoices that arise in heritage projects. Restoration, in its strictest sense, meansfor the ones who are doing it right. They were not original to the building, BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 2 202025'