10 H 10 Vol2 1999 Robert C Weaver Fed Building Historic Structure Report.pdf

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HOD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

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PAINT ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

Analysis and r~search of the original fInishes of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Building was conducted in July 1994 by Reed A. Black, AIA and Mary Jane Klingelhofer of Oehrlein & Associates Architects. The materials and spaces to be analyzed included the significant and public interior spaces which were described in the Scope of Work as the entrance lobby, stairwells, cafeteria, library, Secretary's Suite, Departmental Conference Room, typical corridor, typical office, typical toilet and typical elevator lobby ..

The purpose of the paint analysis is fIrst, to provide a record of all of the paint colors applied to these individual surfaces of the building, identifying original paint schemes, and second, to identify aiterations and additions to the building. Because the building is not very old, becauSe it has not been altered significantly, and because the paint colors and fInishes were inFegral to the original design and function of the building (i.e., paint colors were used to iIidicate quadrants of the building), the period of signifIcance of the building is its original ~te_of construction in 1968.

Methods of r~s'~arch included review of the original construction drawings and spec;ifIcations as'; well as a discussion of the original paint scheme with the associate architect for the original design of the building, Herbert Beckhard, FAIA. Paint chips of the paint colors eriginally specifIed were also obtained to determine variations between the original color scheme and what was actually applied. Paint seriation analysis and solvent testing was also performed to determine the original paint colors and fInishes actually applied to the individual surfaces of the ·building.

mSTORICAL RESEARCH ON ORIGINAL PAINT SCHEME

The original drawings and specifIcations for the building describe the paint scheme intended, indicating both the color name and number. The color numbers shown on the original drawings are based on "Federal Standard No. 595" which were a group of standard colors used by the Government. Used primarily in specifying paint colors for Government equipment, the colors are sometimes used for specifying paint for Government buildings. These standard colors are identifIed with a 5 digit number. The 10000 series numbers identify paint colors with a gloss fInish; the 20000 series numbers identify colors with a semi-gloss fInish; and the 30000 series numbers identify colors with a flat fInish (called "lusterless" on the drawings and in the specifIcations). The last 4 digits of the number identify the paint color, thus paint colors with the same last four digits and different fIrst digit are the same color with a different fInish.

HUD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

Original construction drawing 5-2, "Interior Paint & Color Schedule," "approved" April 14, 1965 (see Illus. Nos. 5-1 and 5-2), describes the colors for typical spaces, for the quadrants, for special spaces and for the exterior of the building. The original specifications, dated April 29, 1965, contain Section 46, "Painting and Finishing Part I - Architectural" and "General Color Instructions" (see Exhibit 5-C). The specifications describe the materials and application of all of the paint and natural wood finishes to be used on the building. The "General Color Instructions" specify the color of all of the miscellaneous items in the building. An undated color board titled "Interior Paint and Color Scheme," possibly prepared by the building's architects for a presentation to HUD or the GSA, also includes the lists of spaces and materials and the colors and finishes of each as well as color chips of most of the listed colors (see Exhibit 5-B).

Colors shown on the schedule and in the Specifications are slightly different from those shown on the "Interior Paint and Color Scheme" color board. The most noted differences between the color board and the specified colors are in the paint finish and "temperature" of the colors. White colors shown on the color board are "cool" or have a bluish tint while the white and off-white colors specified are "warm" with a slightly reddish tint. This change in the color was probably to make the whites and off-whites more closely match the color of the concrete. The paint finishes are also slightly different. The wall color which is shown as #37886 on the color board indicates a flat finish. The same color for the walls was shown as #27886 on the Color Schedule except the finish was indicated as semi-gloss. The color "White" is not identified on the drawings or in the specifications, however, it is identified as #37886 on the "Interior Paint and Color Scheme" color board.

No color photographs showing the original painted fmishes and colors of the completed HUD building have been located.

LIST OF ORIGINALLY SPECIFIED COLORS

This list is compiled from the Interior Paint and Color Schedule (Drawing 5-2), General Color Instructions found in the back of the Specifications (Exhibit 5-C), and "Interior Paint and Color Scheme" (Exhibit 5-B) ..

(*Indicates colors shown on the "Interior Paint and Color Scheme" different than those specified on drawings and in the specifications)

#10080

#12197

#15123

#16081

#16440

Brown (for NE quadrant doors and transoms)

Orange (for NW quadrant doors and transoms)

Blue (for SE quadrant doors and transoms)

Grey (dark grey for elevator doors and frames and SW quadrant doors and transoms)

Grey (for stair rails, *Color Board shows #26280)

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HUD BUILDING

*#17875

#17886

#26280

#26440

*#26595

*#27875

#27886

*#37886

CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

White (for core doors from Color Board)

Off-White (metal doors and frames)

Grey (Areaway gratings at exterior)

Grey (Miscellaneous painted ferrous metal)

Grey (Door Bucks in unpainted concrete walls from Color Board)

White (Cafeteria service areas from color board)

Off-White (Typical walls)

White (for ceilings, original drawings indicate "white" for ceilings; Color Board indicates #37886)

EXTERIOR: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

"Interior Paint & Color Schedule," Drawing No. 5-2, GSA Drawing No. 28, dated April 14, 1965 (see Illus. Nos. 5-1 and 5-2), describes the interior and exterior color scheme of the building, and because it was part of the contract documents, was probably the infonnation that guided the contractor in painting the building. The majority of the exterior surfaces of the building are concrete or stone. Windows, entrance doors and frames and the metal storefront at the west side of the cafeteria are aluminum with a black anodized satin fInish (see Illus. No. 3-12, "Exterior Finish Schedule"). Ferrous metal fire stair doors and frames, storage room doors frames and railings were scheduled to be painted off-white (#17886). The access panels and casing beads in the colonnade ceiling, were to be painted white to match the adjacent white portland cement plaster ceiling.

Gratings at the areaways were specifIed to be painted grey (#26280).

INTERIOR: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

PUBLIC SPACES: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

The interior colors and fInishes were mostly white, off-whites and greys to match or complement the surrounding concrete and natural materials. Color was introduced to identify the quadrants of the building on the second through tenth floors.

FIRST FLOOR: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

Public spaces on the ground floor of the building included the entrance lobbies, toilet rooms and the cafeteria. Walls in the lobbies are bush hammered concrete and floors are bluestone. The only painted surfaces in the lobbies are the metal doors and frames, the plaster ceiling and the miscellaneous items such as the fire hose cabinets and exposed stonn, sewer and fire riser pipe. All of the doors and frames on the first floor were specified to be painted off-white (#17886) with the exception of the elevator doors and frames. The elevator doors and frames on all of the floors were specified to be painted with "baked enamel" grey (#16081). Only the color name "white" was specified for the first floor plaster ceilings. The Color Board (Exhibit 5-B) identified the ceiling color as white (#37886); this color matches the metal door and frame color except that it has a flat finish instead of the gloss finish specified for the metal work. The miscellaneous metal items were to be painted to match the adjacent surfaces. The off-white color specified for the metal work and ceilings matched the wann white color of the concrete walls while the dark grey color specified for the elevator doors made them contrast with the concrete walls and appear as a "negative" on the wall.

The plaster walls above the tile wainscot in the toilets were specified to be painted grey (#27886) to match the toilet's gray tile walls.

The plaster walls in the cafeteria were also specified to be painted grey (#27886) along with the metal doors and frames. Telephone recesses walls were indicated in the Specification's "General Color Instructions" to match the adjacent walls, which are concrete. A letter dated 14 March 1968, from John A. Glen, a representative of the Architect, to the Construction Engineer, requested that the telephone recesses be painted to match its "Oxford Grey" plastic laminate shelf.

SECOND THROUGH TENTH FLOORS: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

The color scheme on the second through tenth floors was the same for all of the corridors, toilet rooms and typical offices. Because of the disorienting nature of the curving corridors, the doors and transoms in the four quadrants of the corridors were to be painted different colors to help orient both visitors and employees. The specified colors were:

brown (#10080) for the northeast quadrant doors and transoms orange (#12197) (called "Breuer Red" by Breuer's partner, Herbert Beckhard)1 for northwest quadrant doors and transoms blue (#15123) (called "Breuer Blue" by Herbert Beckhard)2 for southeast quadrant doors and transoms grey (#16081) for southwest quadrant doors and transoms

During the construction of the building, for unknown reasons, the quadrant colors were changed by the architects, Marcel Breuer and Associates. A letter from Herbert Beckhard, Iinterview with Herbert Beckhard at the HUD Building, June 8, 1994.

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L , HOD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

project architect, to Miss Carol Ann Robbins, GSA, dated July 29, 1966, requested the following color changes:

brown (# 1 0080) changed to yellow (# 13655) for the northeast quadrant doors and transoms blue (#15123) changed to black (#17038) for southeast quadrant doors and transoms grey (#16081) changed to blue (#15123)' for southwest quadrant doors and transoms orange (# 12197) for northwest quadrant doors and transoms remained unchanged.

Door frames in the corridors were to be painted off-white, gloss (#17886) and the wall surfaces were to be painted off-white, semi-gloss (#27886) to match the door frames.

The public toilet room vestibules were specified to be painted off-white, semi-gloss (#27886) to match the concrete walls of the elevator lobbies. The plaster walls above the tile wainscot in the toilets were to be painted grey, semi-gloss (#26440) to match the tile and the metal toilet partitions were to be painted to match the room door color. Plaster ceilings in the toilets to be painted white (#37886) to match the concrete walls of the elevator lobby. The elevator lobby ceiling was white cement plaster with the casing beads painted white to match.

The majority of the materials in the stairwells were unfinished concrete walls and floors.

The only finishes specified were the grey paint (#16440) for the ferrous metal handrails in the comer stairwells and the natural finish for the wood handrails in the core stairs and stairs from the garages to the basement.

PRIVATE SPACES: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

SECOND THROUGH TENTH FLOORS: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

Typical Offices

Typical office walls were specified to be painted off-white (#27886) with door frames also off-white (#17886). The ceilings were to be painted white (#37886).

Executive Office Suites

The Executive Office Suites occur at the south end of the building from the fourth to the ninth floors. The walls of the rooms are specified and detailed with ash plywood paneling with a "natural" finish, except for the executive office, which is paneled in vertical tongue and groove American Cherry. The original specifications for the "natural" ash finish is three coats of varnish with the final surface to be a "satin finish" (see page 46-9 of Exhibit

5-C), A letter from the Construction Engineer described the ash finish in detail as follows: 3

1 coat Pratt & Lambert Spec. Stain No. 2225N, wiped.

1 coat Pratt & Lambert Pale Trim Varnish Gloss, sanded.

1 coat Pratt & Lambert Pale Trim Varnish Gloss, sanded.

1 coat Pratt & Lambert Pale Trim Varnish, Dull.

The plaster and concrete exterior walls were specified to be painted semi-gloss, off-white (#27886). The doors and frames were to be painted the matching gloss off-white (#17886). The doors actually installed in the executive office suites were flush, solid core, birch veneer doors. These doors were stained and varnished in an attempt to match the ash paneling. The architects, noting that the wood color and grain of the birch doors did not match the ash or cherry paneled walls, requested that the existing birch doors be painted white or black or that new doors be ordered to match the ash paneling.4 This change was not made and the birch doors, stained and varnished, remained.s Doors and frames in the cherry paneled executive office were also cherry and were finished to match the walls. Finishing of the American Cherry is described below under "Secretary and Deputy Secretary's Suites.·

TENTH FLOOR: ORIGINAL SPECIFIED FINISHES

Secretary's and Deputy Secretary's Suites and Departmental Conference Room

The Secretary and Deputy Secretary's Suites were referred to as "Administrator's Office Suite and Commissioner'S Private Offices" on the original Color Schedule drawings,6 and the Departmental Conference Room was referred to as the "Administrator's Conference Room" on the original drawings. Although the Color Schedule and detail drawing of the spaces indicates that the walls, door and frames are "walnut boarding" with a "natural" finish, the floor plan of the spaces show cherry boarding with natural oiled finish.

American Cherry was used instead of the originally specified walnut because the lifting of an embargo on walnut logs created an extreme shortage of walnut. The specifications describe the "natural" finish for the walnut as four coats of hand rubbed oil with a fmal coat of hand rubbed paste wax (see pages 46-8 and 46-9 of Exhibit 5-C). In an effort to make the cherry paneling match the walnut furnishings selected for the building, it was

3Letter to John McShain from James R. Harris, Jr., December 5, 1967.

4Letter to Chief, Design & Construction Division from John A. Glen, Nolen-Swinburne and Associates, March 22, 1968.

SLetter to John Glen, Nolen-Swinburne and Associates from R. S. Eckert, Chief, Design and Construction Division, April 10, 1968.

6"Color Schedule," Drawing 5-2, GSA Drawing No. 28, April 14, 1965.

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HUD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

suggested that the cherry paneling be stained walnut. 7 Tentative approval was given to apply the following stained finish:

1 coat Pratt & Lambert tonetic walnut stain, rubbed 2 coats of gloss varnish, sanded 1 coat of flat varnish8

This finish was apparently not given final approval because the cherry paneling samples reviewed by the architect were described as having the "natural color of the cherry wood rather than an attempt to simulate walnut. ,,9 The only painted surfaces in the Suites are the exterior plaster and concrete walls with metal fan coil cabinet covers which are specified be off-white (#27886). There are no painted finishes in the Conference Room, however, the interior walls and shelves of the closets are ash, presumably finished as described above under Executive Office Suites.

PAINT ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY

The paint analysis was performed at the 24 interior locations indicated on the list included with the Scope of Work. Fifteen additional interior locations were also sampled so that the complete description of the original interior colors of the significant spaces could be presented. One additional paint sample was taken from the exterior of the building and analyzed. On painted surfaces, paint seriation analysis was performed. On clear finished wood items, solvent testing was performed to determine whether the finish was shellac, lacquer, or varnish. Finish samples were examined and taken from locations where complete undisturbed paint layers (called startigraphies) are most likely to exist and least likely to have degraded.

The on-site examination involved the use of a scalpel to cut through and expose all of the separate layers of paint on individual elements. Each layer was examined in-situ through a hand-held 7x lens. Numerous samples of repetitive elements were studied to ensure that complete sequences were identified and recorded. Paint samples were removed from the building for laboratory analysis. The locations of the paint samples studied are noted on the accompanying plans of the building (see Illus. Nos. 5-3 through 5-6).

Laboratory analysis involved studying the removed paint samples off-site. These samples were beveled with a sharp scalpel to expose the paint layers to the greatest extent possible.

The paint layers were then observed using a 40x binocular microscope under 3200 degree

7Memo for the Record from Thomas A. Bradford, Construction Engineer, June 24, 1966.

8Memorandum for the Record from the Construction Engineer, January 16, 1967 and Letter to John McShain, Inc. from James R. Harris, Jr., Construction Engineer, January 30, 1967.

~emorandum for the Record, Site Inspection and Conference, by Herbert Beckhard, June 14, 1967.

Kelvin illumination. The flrst flnish layer applied to each portion of the building fabric is color matched colorimetrically to the Munsell color code system and described using the International Society Color Council and National Bureau of Standards color names. These paint colors are also matched with the Federal Standard Colors Federal Standard 595B to determine if the flrst finish paint colors match the originally specifled colors. All other layers identifled are described by color name only. The colors identifled are listed in sequence on the accompanying Chromochronology Charts (see Exhibit 5-A). Each vertical column corresponds to the element sampled which is identifled at the head of the column.

The substrate material and the earliest paint layer are located at the top of the column followed by the subsequent paint layers and ending with the most recent paint layer at the bottom of the column. Corresponding paint layers of different samples are aligned horizontally so that the paint scheme of a space during a particular time can be read across a single horizontal line.

Solvent testing was also performed on site. This involved applying three different types of solvents; denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner and a methylene chloride paint remover (Zip Strip) to the clear flnished wood surface and observing the reaction. Finishes dissolved by the denatured alcohol are identifled as shellac, flnishes dissolved by lacquer thinner are identifled as lacquer, and fmishes dissolved by the methylene chloride paint stripped are identified as varnish. Locations and results of these tests are also identifled on the Chromochronology Charts (see Exhibit 5-A).

PAINT ANALYSIS OBSERVATIONSIFINDINGS

Below are the results of the paint analysis based on fleld and laboratory analysis. Letters shown thus, (P-1) indicate paint samples and (S-1), indicate solvent samples listed in the Color Chromochronology Charts in Exhibit 5-A.

EXTERIOR PAINT ANALYSIS

Paint analysis on the exterior of the building was limited to the paint on the guardrail on the retaining wall of the west elevation (sample P-37). This railing is primed with an orange primer which was followed by the flrst fmish coats of gloss, yellowish white, 5Y 9/1. This color matches Federal Standard Co]ors, (FS) #17886. Based on field observation, the metal storage room doors and frames in the exterior granite walls of the first floor also were painted this same yellowish white although laboratory analysis and matching of these painteq exterior door surfaces was not performed. The metal railing has been painted gloss black. Other original painted surfaces on the exterior of the building include the metal access panels and casing beads in the arcade ceiling, the metal doors leading to the comer stairs, the metal grates over the light pits and basement garage vent shaft grates. The glazed entrance doors and storefront systems are black anodized aluminum and are not included as painted surfaces.

The condition of the paint on the exterior railings is poor. The railing has only been painted once since its original painting. The paint and primer coatings have failed, causing

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HUD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

the steel railing to corrode, damaging the railing and staining the concrete wall below the railing. The paint on the plaster ceiling is soiled and the paint on the metal access panels is peeling.

INTERIOR PAINT ANALYSIS

PUBLIC SPACES: PAINT ANALYSIS

The original paint colors found on almost all of the painted surfaces in the public spaces of the building were a yellowish white matching the colors specified on the original drawings. These surfaces now, however, are painted a variety of colors which are not related to the original colors or any other material in the building. The colors applied to the doors and transoms on the upper floor corridors to identify the quadrants of the building have been applied to the frames and the doors and transoms painted a neutral color. Repainting the building with paint colors not matching the originals has altered the original appearance of the building.

First Floor

Public spaces on the ground floor of the building included the entrance lobbies, toilet rooms and the cafeteria. Walls in the lobbies are bush hammered concrete, which are soiled. Floors are bluestone, which are coated with a thick layer of wax. The only painted surfaces in the lobbies are the metal doors and frames, the gypsum board ceiling and the miscellaneous items such as the fire hose cabinets and exposed storm sewer and fire riser pipe.

The metal doors on the first floor were primed with a coat of dark grey primer. This primer was followed by a coat of Yellowish White, 5Y 9/1 (P-1, P-3, P-6, P-ll). The paint and primer was applied to both sides of the doors and frames. The door frames were primed with dark red and finished with a coat of Yellowing White 5Y 9/1, (P-2, P-4, P-7, P-12). Miscellaneous painted items such as the fire riser pipe and fire hose cabinet were also primed dark red and painted Yellowish White 5Y 9/1, (P-5). Because the plaster ceiling in the lobby was removed to allow the installation of the fire suppression system and replaced, the ceiling was not sampled. The elevator doors and frames were primed light grey and finished with Dark Grey lOG 3/0.5. The original elevator door and frame color was determined at the Basement level, see sample P-26. The metal doors and frames have been painted a variety of colors since the building was constructed, [mally ending with the existing silver metallic paint scheme. The miscellaneous painted items were not repainted until the most recent campaign, resulting in their being painted silver also. The fire hose cabinets have been painted "fire engine red." The elevator doors retained their original dark grey color until the recent elevator renovation (1992-1994) when they were painted a light grey.

The plaster walls in the cafeteria were primed a Pale Orange Yellow IOYR 9/2. The first finish coat of paint is Yellowish White 5Y 9/1, (P-IO). The Cafeteria side of the doors and frames were painted to match the Lobby side, (P-8, P-9). Since their original painting, HOD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS the doors and frames have been painted a variety of colors as part of the various remodelings of the Cafeteria and ending with the current silver metallic paint finish.

Telephone recesses were painted Dark Grey N 4.5/15.6%R (P-27). The condition of the existing paint coatings in the publjc spaces is good.

Second through Tenth Floors

The color scheme on the second through tenth floors was the same for all of the elevator lobbies, corridors, toilet rooms, stairwells and elevator lobbies. The doors and transoms in the four quadrants of the corridors were to be painted different colors to help orient both visitors and employees. Both sides of the doors and transoms were painted the quadrant colors. Paint samples were taken from the doors by removing the plastic kick plate, exposing the original finish painted surfaces. The door and transom colors were as follows:

Yellow Black

Blue Orange

2.5Y 8/14 gloss, at northeast quadrant door (P35).

N 0.5/0.6%R gloss, at southeast quadrant door (P-14) and transom (P-15).

2.5PB 417 gloss, at southwest quadrant door (P34).

lOR 5/6 gloss, at northwest quadrant door (P36).

Stairwell doors and frames were painted Yellowish White SY 9/1 (P-16, P-17), to match the adjacent wall surfaces.

Door frames in the corridors were painted Yellowish White SY 9/1 gloss, (P-16), and the wall surfaces were painted Yellowish White 5Y 9/1, (P-13), semi-gloss matching the door frames.

The plaster walls above the tile wainscot in the toilets were painted grey/yellow, green lOY 7/0.S (P-24) matching Federal Standard Color #26440. This color matches the color of the glaze wall tile. The metal toilet partitions were painted white N9.S 90%R gloss (P- 25). Plaster ceilings in the toilets were painted Yellowish White 5Y 9/1 (P-23). The toilet room walls and ceilings have been painted light blue and the toilet partitions painted blue/grey.

All of the painted surfaces in second through tenth floors appear to have been recently painted and the paint finishes are in good condition. The paint colors, however, do not match the original paint scheme. The white cement plaster ceiling of the elevator lobbies, which was not to be painted, have also been painted. The exposed concrete soffit above the elevator doors has been painted white, along with the plaster ceiling.

The majority of the materials in the stairwells were unfinished concrete walls and floors.

The only painted finishes are the ferrous metal pipe handrails in the comer stairwells and the rectangular steel railing at the stairs to the garage. The pipe railing in the corner stairs was primed dark red and finished with gloss Yellowish White SY 9/1 (P-28). This railing has recently been painted grey and is in good condition. The paint on the steel railing to r •

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HUD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

the garage appears to have not been painted since it received its original paint. The paint coating is very dirty and is peeling. Wood handrails were typically used in the stair wells with the exception of the comer stairs. The original fmish on the round white oak handrail of the core stairs appears to have been recently removed and the handrail fmished with clear gloss varnish (S-I). The square cherry handrail of the stairs to the garage appears to have its original natural fmish, possibly oiled and waxed. These railings are very soiled and stained.

PRIVATE SPACES: PAINT ANALYSIS

Typical Offices

Typical office walls, both plaster and concrete were originally primed with a pale orange yellow and then painted Yellowish White 5Y 9/1 (P-20, P-21). The metal fan coil cabinet grills were primed brilliant greenish yellow and then painted to match the walls (P-21).

The doors and frames in the offices were also painted Yellowish White 5Y 9/1 (P-18, P- 19). The office where the paint analysis was performed has been painted numerous times in a variety of color schemes, most recently in the existing grey and off-white color scheme.

Libraty

The only painted surfaces in the library were the concrete and plaster walls and metal fan coil cabinet grills. These surfaces were painted the same as all of the other walls in the building, with primer and Yellowish White 5Y 9/1 (P-32, P-33). These walls have been repainted several times and the paint finishes are in good condition.

Executive Office Suites

The Executive Office Suites are located at the south end of the building from the fourth to the ninth floors. The walls of the rooms are ash plywood paneling, except for the executive office, which was paneled in vertical tongue and groove American Cherry. The ash plywood paneling is stained and fmished with a gloss varnish. The stain used in each office suite appears to be a slightly different color. The existing flush birch door's stained and varnished fmish does not match the color or wood grain of the walls. Doors and frames in the cherry paneled executive office were also cherry and were fmished to match the walls. Finishing of the American Cherry is similar to that described below under "Secretary and Deputy Secretary's Suites."

Secretary's and Deputy Secretary's Suites and Departmental Conference Room

The majority of the interior walls of these office suites are tongue and groove 3/4" x 3" vertical American Cherry. These walls are fmished with several coats of gloss varnish (S-

2). The walls on the interiors of the closets are cherry with their original matte fInish.

The only painted surfaces in the Suites are the exterior plaster and concrete walls with metal fan coil cabinet covers which are primed the same as all of the other exterior surfaces of the building and painted Yellowish White 5Y 911 (P-29 , P-30, P-31). The paint fInishes in the suites are in good condition, however, the gloss varnish is typically chipped at the baseboard and at the bottom of the doors.

There are no painted fInishes in the Conference Room. The walls are American cherry paneling, fInished with the gloss varnish (S-3) matching the [mish of the office suites. This gloss fInish accentuates the chatter marks left by the machines that planed the wood.

These marles would not be noticeable if the paneling had a matte fInish. The interior walls and shelves of the closets are ash, stained and finished with a matte [mish.

PAINT ANALYSIS CONCLUSIONS

Based on the historical research and the paint seriation analysis (Exhibit 5-A), the original paint colors and color scheme applied on the exterior and interior of the HUD Building matches that shown in the original construction drawings (see Illus. Nos. 5-1 and 5-2) and specifications (Exhibit 5-C), as modifIed and documented by correspondence during construction. The Color Board (Exhibit 5-B) was clearly an early submission by the Architects to describe the general color scheme of the building. The Architects' original design intent remained intact through construction, with paint colors chosen to match the adjacent unpainted natural or man-made materials. Adjustments to the original paint colors, made during construction and documented through correspondence, were verified through paint analysis. These minor adjustments were done to make the paint colors match more closely the adjacent unpainted materials and surfaces. Corridor "quadrant" colors, also changed during construction and documented through correspondence, were verified through paint analysis. The only deviation from the original documentation was in the color of the stair handrails, which were painted Yellowish White to match the adjacent concrete instead of the originally specifIed grey.

EXTERIOR ORIGINAL FINISH SCHEME

The exterior of the HUD Building is defIned by the composition and contrast of manmade concrete against natural stone and massive white concrete walls against dark, recessed openings. Color was used on the exterior of the building to achieve this appearance. The black anodized aluminum window frames gave the desired contrast between the light colored precast concrete walls and the recessed windows. At the first floor, dark grey granite was used along with the black anodized aluminum frames at the entrances. These dark materials, along with the continuation of the plaza's bluestone paving into the building, made the wall of the first floor disappear behind the massive concrete pilotis, giving the building the appearance of being completely supported by the pilotis. Where the concrete walls were interrupted by metal doors and frames, the metal was painted Yellowish White to match the concrete, continuing the monolithic appearance of the wall.

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HUD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

Miscellaneous items such as the railings were also painted Yellowish White to match the concrete to which they were attached. Grates at vents and lighting pits were unpainted galvanized metal. The original exterior colors and fInishes match those indicated in the original construction documents and correspondence.

INTERIOR ORIGINAL FINISH SCHEME

PUBLIC SPACES

First Floor

Finishes in the first floor entrances and lobbies were natural cleft bluestone flooring, exposed bush hammered concrete walls and sand fInished white portland cement plaster ceilings. The articulation of the interior of the first floor was similar to that of the exterior of the building. The dark stone flooring was used to contrast the light colored exposed concrete walls. Doors and frames in the concrete walls were painted Yellowish White, matching the concrete, to preserve the monolithic appearance of the wall. Exposed pipes, plaster toilet vestibule walls and miscellaneous elements were also painted Yellowish White to make them match the adjacent concrete. The elevator doors, however, were painted Dark Grey to contrast with the concrete, similar to the windows on the exterior of the building. The perforated board walls of the telephone recesses were painted Dark Grey to match their original "Oxford Grey" plastic laminate shelves.

The Cafeteria continued the color scheme established in the entrances to the building.

Plaster walls were painted Yellowish White to match the exposed concrete of the columns and walls of the room. The floor was a dark colored carpet to contrast with the walls.

The ceiling was white, rough textured acoustical tile, similar to the sand fInished plaster of the lobby ceilings.

Second through Tenth Floors

Elevator lobbies on the upper floors were finished similar to the first floor. The walls were exposed concrete and doors and frames were painted Yellowish White to match the concrete, with the exception of the elevator doors which were painted Dark Grey. The floor was grey vinyl tile and the ceiling sand fInished cement plaster. Corridor walls were painted Yellowish White to match the exposed concrete. To aid in orienting the building occupants and visitors, the office doors and transoms in the quadrants of the building were painted different colors: Yellow at the northeast; Black at the southeast; Blue at the southwest; and Orange at the northwest quadrant. The stair doors and frames were painted Yellowish White.

Stairwells

The only painted fInish in the stairs are the metal doors and frames and the stair railings in the comer and garage stairs. Though the drawings called for the railings to be painted grey, paint analysis revealed that they were painted Yellowish White, matching the doors and frames. The wood handrails had a natural finish matching the other natural wood materials in the building.

Public Toilet Rooms

The plaster walls above the tile wainscot of the toilet rooms were painted blue to match the tile. The ceiling was painted Yellowish White, to match all of the other ceilings in the building.

PRIVATE SPACES

Typical Offices

The walls of the offices were painted Yellowish White to match all of the other walls in the building.

Executive Office Suites, Secretary's Suite. Deputy Secretary's Suite and Departmental Conference Room

Cherry boarding and ash plywood paneling are the primary wall materials in these spaces.

According to the original construction documents and construction correspondence, the intent was to apply a finish that would express the natural color and grain of the wood.

The original fInishes have been removed from the walls of the offices and the wood coated with varnish. Walls of the closets have not been refinished and retain their original clear finish. Solvent testing performed on the wood could not identify the original flnish systems used on the wood paneling. Refinishing the walls should match the original fmishes found in the closets. The plaster exterior walls were painted Yellowish White to match all of the other exterior walls in the building. The birch flush wood doors and frames that have been stained and varnished were originally intended to be painted white to match the corridor fInishes.

RECOMMENDATIONS

JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Color, along with texture, geometry and mass, was an important element in the building's design. Finishes for natural materials, such as wood and stone, were selected to retain the natural appearance of the materials. Paint colors were very carefully considered and

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HOD BUILDING CHAPTER V: PAINT ANALYSIS

selected by the original architects of the building, Marcel Breuer and Associates. Colors selected were either to be white or gray to blend with natural materials or bright colors which were "assertive, strong and a proper contrast to the monochrome of white, gray and natural tones. ,,10 Repainting the originally painted materials in the building, removing paint from originally unpainted concrete surfaces and refinishing the wood and stone materials to their original "natural" finish is important to the preservation of the building's materials and restoration of the appearance of the building.

The existing paint scheme of silver metallic paint and thick glossy finishes on wood and stone severely alters the original appearance and design intent of the building. The painted concrete surfaces on the interior of the building will eventually require repainting, resulting in the eventual thick build-up of paint which will obscure the original formed texture of the concrete. Cleaning the exposed concrete to restore its original light color should be done in concert with repainting the originally painted materials to prevent the unfortunate appearance of dirty brown concrete against freshly painted Yellowish White doors, frames and accessories. Maintaining a sound paint coating on the ferrous metals and wood is also necessary to prevent the deterioration of the substrate materials.

Recommendations for the painted finishes of the HUD building are to repaint the originally painted surfaces to match the original color and finish, remove the paint from surfaces never originally intended to be painted and to refinish the clear finished wood to match its original natural finish. Paint colors and finishes should match the original paint colors referenced by the Munsell Color as indicated by the Recommended Colors and Finishes List at the end of this Chapter. This list is the compilation of the original paint schedule as altered during construction and as verified by the Paint Seriation Analysis.

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Remove paint from concrete columns in Cafeteria and concrete soffit above elevator doors at Floors 2-10 (see specifications for Removal of Paint from Architectural Concrete in Chapter X).

Paint elements on the exterior of the building and Interior Restoration Zones to match original colors as listed below and as per specifications for Painting in Chapter x.

• Paint birch doors in executive offices white as recommended by the original architects.

IOLetter from Herbert Beckhard, FAIA to Mary Jane Klingelhofer, April 19, 1995. The letter further stated that the "Breuer" red and "Breuer" blue were used all the time, however, "Breuer would never entertain the idea of using green since he felt nature had adequately taken care of that."

• Paint gypsum board entrance and lobby ceiling at first floor to match the sanded finished plaster.

• All surfaces not currently painted should not be painted.

RECOMMENDED COLORS AND FINISHES LIST

Listed below are the paint and finishes for the areas of the HUD Building designated as Restoration and Renovation Zones. The first column shows the material and location.

The second column shows the color name. The third column shows the closest matching Federal Standard color, which is typically the color specified in the original construction documents. The color and fmish determined through paint analysis is shown in the last column. [The asterisk (*) indicates items where paint analysis was not performed as part of this report. Colors indicated for these items are from the original color schedule or as determined through analysis of similar elements. Also shown is the matching Munsell color.]

EXTERIOR

Metal Doors & Frames * Metal Handrails Metal Areaway Grates *

Metal Access Panels at * plaster arcade ceiling

INTERIOR

Entrances and Lobbies Metal Doors & Frames Elevator Doors & Frames Fire Hose Cabinets Exposed Pipes Access Panels & Grills in Ceiling * Ceiling @ 1st Floor *

Ceilings @ Floors 2-10 *

Color Name

Yellowish White Yellowish White Grey

White to match plaster ceiling

Yellowish White Dark Grey Yellowish White Yellowish White White to match the adjacent ceiling White to match Sand Finished Plaster Existing Sand Finished Plaster

Fed. Std. Color Munsell Color

# 17886 # 17886 # 26280 semi-gloss

# 17886 # 16081 # 37886 # 37886

5Y 911 Gloss 5Y 9/1 Gloss

5Y 9/1 Gloss lOG 3/0.5 Gloss 5Y 9/1 Flat 5Y 911 Flat r ~-, i -r -"7 r?)

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Degartmental Conference Room r I

Cherry Wood Paneling Natural Finish Ash Plywood Paneling Natural Finish

Secretru:y's Suite Cherry Wood Paneling Natural Finish Plaster Walls Yellowish White #27886 5Y 911 Semi Gloss Metal Fan Coil Covers Yellowish White # 27886 5Y 9/1 Semi Gloss Metal Doors & Frames Yellowish White # 17886 5Y 9/1 Gloss r -

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Subject:

Date:

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Source:

5-1

Housing and Urban Development Building, Original and Renovation Construction Drawings, Building #DC0092ZZ

April 14, 1965

Portion of "Color Schedule" (see also Illus. No. 5-2), Drawing No. 5-2, GSA Drawing No. 28, by Marcel Breuer and Associates and Nolen Swinburne and Associates.

General Services Administration Technical Resources Center, 7th and D ~treets SW, Washington, DC

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5-2

Housing and Urban Development Building, Original and Renovation Construction Drawings, Building #DC0092ZZ

April 14, 1965

Portion of "Color Schedule" (see also Illus. No. 5-1), Drawing No. 5-2, GSA Drawing No. 28, by Marcel Breuer and Associates and Nolen Swinburne and Associates.

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5-3

Housing and Urban Development Building, Original and Renovation Construction Drawings, Building #DC0092ZZ

April 14, 1965

Basement Plan, Paint Sample Location. See Exhibit 5-A for paint chromochronology charts.

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5-4

Housing and Urban Development Building, Original and Renovation Construction Drawings, Building #DC0092ZZ

April 14, 1965

First Floor Plan, Paint Sample Location. See Exhibit 5-A for paint chromochronology charts.

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5·5

Housing and Urban Development Building, Original and Renovation Construction Drawings, Building #DC0092ZZ

April 14, 1965

Eighth Floor Plan, Paint…