Site Investigation Report.pdf

PROJECT # 621-20-101

AE Correct FCA Deficiencies with Historical

Chapel Building 13

James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Mountain Home, Tennessee

Site Visit Report

December 22nd, 2020

PREPARED BY

PROJECT # 621-20-101 Site Investigation Report AE Correct FCA Deficiencies with Historical Chapel Building 13

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Viewing this Report & Site Map

Exterior Review

Exterior Wood

Brick/Stone

Roof

Gutters and Downspouts

Windows

Exterior Doors

Belltower

Interior Review

Plaster

Structural Wood

Wood Trim

Organs

Flooring

Stairs

Balconies

Animal Control

Executive Summary

Building 13 is a former chapel building consisting of two wings of chapel space – one for Protestant’s (West Chapel) and one for Catholics (North Chapel). The chapel was designed by J. H. Freedlander in the Mission Revival / Arts and Crafts architecture and construction in 1904-1905 as a part of the original Beaux-Arts campus ensemble for the Mountain Branch.

Over the years, several improvements have been made. The pipe organs were installed in 1922.

According to existing documents from the Historic American Building Survey (HABS), new windows were installed in 1929. The windows have since been replaced. In 1953 a concrete ramp was added to the front entrance steps. Floor finishes and paint have been updated at unknown times during the past century.

The Chapel was is operation as late as the 1980s. Most recently, the West Chapel was used for contractor storage. As late as 2009, the North Chapel was used by Eastern Tennessee State University (ETSU) for nursing education. The Mountain Home campus, as well as the Chapel, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011.

FFE Inc. conducted site investigation on October 26th, 2020. Personnel reviewed the first floor, balconies, belltower, basement, and the two crawlspaces under each wing of the chapel building. The chapel building is in deteriorating condition and will need immediate attention to save from being in disrepair.

Among the details of this report are several notable deficiencies including the following:

- Evidence of skunk intrusion was present within the building which will need addressed before the building is contaminated beyond repair.

- Several roof tiles are broken or missing causing water infiltration into the building.

- Water infiltration was evident by the crumbling plaster at several locations throughout the building.

- Missing or disconnected downspouts causing water to splash and erode the brick mortar.

- Several windows are broken or boarded over.

- The existing building does not meet accessibility standards for access into the chapel. The front ramp is not code compliant, nor are any access widths from the front door into the North Chapel.

This document is a working document that will be updated each design phase when applicable information is received. The design team will use this document as the framework for decisions established in the design process.

Figure 1. First Floor Plan

Viewing this Report

The chapel building is in a reversed L-shape with seemingly equal legs. The two legs intersect at the southeast corner of the building – the entrance and belltower. In this report, the former Catholic wing of this chapel will be referred to as the North Chapel. The former Protestant wing of this chapel will be referred to as the West Chapel. At the end of each wing (northmost and westmost) the elevated chancel areas are flanked by small transepts containing restrooms and access to side entrances.

West Chapel (Protestant)

Narthex

South Transept

EXTERIOR REVIEW

Figure 2 - Painted wood features at East Facade

Exterior wood

The roof projections and porches have exposed rafters and supports with decorative edges as characterized by the Mission style of architecture. All exterior wood is painted white. The paint on most wood features is cracked and peeling. All paint is presumed to contain lead. Historic image appear to show the exterior wood was not painted.

Figure 3 - Brick condition at north chancel

Exterior brick and stone

Brick is a red molded brick laid in a Flemish bond pattern. Each brick is approximately 7”w x 2.25”h x 3.625”d. Several areas near grade, disconnected downspouts, and flashing have receding mortar.

Vines at the exterior of the north face of the North Chapel have damaged the brick. Dead vines are presumed to be poison ivy.

A 3-course brick watertable (non-bullnosed) forms a ledge on the north face of the North Chapel. These bricks are absorbing standing water and causing damage to the brick.

Caulk joints at limestone watertable are deteriorating.

Caulk at joint deteriorating

Brick watertable absorbing water

Vines damaging brick

Dirt collecting on brick and stone

Figure 4 – Remnants of previously removed wall Figure 5 - Sub-basement vents

Figure 6- Mud on bricks at grade

Remnants of a previously removed wall on the west face of the north transept of the West Chapel show on the brick.

Vent openings in the brick at the crawl space allow for bugs and rodents to travel into the crawlspace.

The brick at grade level is muddied at several areas where grass is not growing alongside the building.

Figure 7 - From belltower looking west

Roof

The existing roof is slate tile over underlayment (underlayment not observed). The interior shows signs of leaking roof in several locations. Several slate tiles have been broken and/or are missing. The painted metal brick cap is deteriorating and rusted. Moss is growing on the slate tile on the north slope of the West Chapel. The EPDM membrane did not appear to be damaged or have any signs of excessive wear but is likely at or near the end of its life. Approximately 50 stock tiles were observed within the south transept.

Broken tile

EPDM roof membrane Peeling/rusting brick cap

Moss growth on tile

Missing tile

Figure 8 - From belltower looking north, disconnected downspout Figure 9 - Disconnected downspout at west transept

Figure 10 - Deteriorating mortar at grade

Gutters

Gutters are verdigris (oxidized) copper with a K-style colonial profile. Conductor heads are also verdigris copper. Gutters appeared continuous and functional as viewed from ground level.

Downspouts

Downspouts are typically 3x4 dark or verdigris copper. Several segments of downspouts are disconnected and have caused water damage to surrounding areas – notably, the west transept of the North Chapel, and the north side of the bell tower. A downspout extension is missing on the north end of the West Chapel (east of north transept) where water splashes onto the brick and has eroded away the mortar. Similar circumstances occur on the south end of the West Chapel. When downspouts do not discharge to splashblocks, the downspouts connect to a cast iron boot and into the underground storm system. Further investigation is necessary to determine the condition of the storm system.

Figure 12 - North Chapel, stained glass window Figure 11 - West Chapel, stained glass window

Figure 13 - Typical aluminum windows at transepts Figure 14 - Typical aluminum windows at chapel

Windows

4ft x 12ft arched aluminum windows have a wavy translucent glazing. Windows have exceeded their useful life. Several of the windows’ glazing are broken or missing. Thermal capabilities are assumed to be minimal. Historical drawings show French windows with a two light fanlight above while decorative glass in a simple geometric pattern is visible in historic photos.

Stained-glass windows: The wood frame has cracked and peeling paint. All paint is presumed to be lead-based paint. At the interior, the windows have been covered with a gypsum board wall. The exterior of the West Chapel window is infilled with what appears to be a painted plywood. It is presumed the condition of the window behind this segment is damaged or missing.

All observed limestone windowsills have drips and a minimum 1” overhang.

Figure 16 - Front entry, West Chapel at belltower Figure 15 - Side entry, West Chapel

Figure 18 - Front entry, North Chapel Figure 17 - Side entry, North Chapel

Exterior doors

The exterior doors are solid wood with architectural detail to form Latin crosses in their panels. The arched transom space above the two main entrances have been infilled with brick. Exterior wood door to east crawlspace needs replaced (e.g. broken glass, deteriorating wood). The exterior doors from the transepts are painted wood with wood screen doors.

Figure 19 - Bell at belltower

Figure 20 - Tower framing and speaker

Belltower

The bell was cast in 1908 and appeared to be in good condition. Bird droppings were abundant at the bell level of the tower. The rope pull-cord to activate the bell did not result in a chime when given ample force. The pull-cord did not move more than 12” before giving immediate resistance. The dry-pipe sprinkler pipes at the bell tower are painted white and rusting.

INTERIOR REVIEW

Figure 21 - Damage from settling, West Chapel Figure 22 - Damage from water infiltration, North Chapel

Figure 23 - Damage from water infiltration, typical

Plaster Walls and Ceilings

The interior ceilings and walls are plaster on horizontal wood lath. Several areas throughout the Chapel show signs of water infiltration, foundation settling, and general aging. The plaster appears to be about 1 inch thick. An acoustic tile ceiling exists at the underside of the upper belltower floor structure, both transepts of the North Chapel, and the south transept of the West Chapel. The acoustic ceiling tile is in poor condition and in a few areas has been collapsed by water infiltration.

Figure 24 - Structural framing at chapel, typical

Structural Wood

The structural wood trusses, beams, and rafters appear to be in adequate condition despite known areas of water infiltration.

Figure 27 - Base molding and door trim, typical Figure 26 - Molding, trim, and brackets at balcony

Figure 25 - Trim at window, peeling paint

Wood Trim and Molding

The interior wood molding is in fair condition. In several areas, chipped, flaking, and scratched paint are visible. Most of the damage to the wood trim occurs along areas of egress. All paint is presumed to be lead paint.

Figure 28 - Pipe organ at West Chapel

Figure 29 - Pipe organ at West Chapel Figure 30 - Pipe organ at West Chapel

Pipe Organs

There are two inoperable pipe organs in the chapel – one in each wing. The North Chapel has the organ at the balcony level, the West Chapel has the organ at the front “stage” of the chapel. These organs were added to the building in 1922. The keyboards are presumed to be added in the 1960s. It is unknown what level of effort is required to make these organs operable. Aesthetically, the pipes and decorative wood are in adequate condition.

Figure 32 - Entry Vestibule at stair Figure 31 - Threshold from Entry Vestibule to narthex

Flooring

Entry Vestibule flooring:

Brick pavers over wood planks. The tan pavers are arranged in a herringbone pattern with red brick at the perimeter. The pattern forms around the existing stair to the clocktower.

Two stone thresholds separate this floor from the flooring in the West Chapel with a total rise of about 2 ½” inches. Neither thresholds meet VA Accessibility standards.

Figure 33 - Plywood at West Chapel

Figure 34 - West Chapel planks and carpet

West Chapel flooring:

The West Chapel flooring is the original wood planks with a 3-ft wide stripe of broadloom carpet down the center of the chapel. Approximately 150 sf of wood planks have been replaced with plywood or OSB sheets. Existing planks appear to be approximately ¾” in thickness and show no signs of prior rehabilitation. The flooring at the stage is broadloom carpet (red). The north and south transepts are mostly of plywood with about half of the south transept of original wood planks. The front of the Chapel and each transept shows signs of flooring adhesive over the existing planks and plywood sheets.

Figure 35 - North Chapel carpeting

North Chapel flooring:

The North Chapel flooring is broadloom carpet. It is unknown if the original wood plank flooring is still intact under the carpet.

Narthex flooring: The narthex at each chapel, as well as the connecting room (with stair to the North Chapel balcony), have broadloom carpet over the wood plank flooring.

Figure 39 - Flooring at east transept Figure 38 - Flooring at west transept

Figure 37 - South transept exposed subfloor

Transept flooring:

The east and west transepts (North Chapel) are 12”x12” vinyl composite tile (VCT) and are in poor condition. Possible asbestos mastic under tile.

The north and south transepts (West Chapel) are exposed plywood and OSB with some exposed wood plank. An outline of 9” x 9” (asbestos) tile shows where this tile once was adhered. Remnants of flooring adhesive remain on most of the subfloor in these rooms and their closets. Approximately 135 sf of original flooring has been replaced with OSB or plywood in the north and south transepts.

Figure 41 - Stair from North Chapel balcony Figure 40 - Stair at belltower

Stairs

There are two stairways within the building—One from the entry vestibule leading to the West Chapel balcony and continues up to the bellower, and the other is located between the two narthexes and runs from the basement level to the balcony of the North Chapel.

Stairs are wood risers, treads, balusters, railing, and structure. Ornate brackets support the landing at the top of the belltower stair. The risers are approximately 8” high, exceeding current building code limitations (7” max.). The treads are approximately 9 ¾” deep, also exceeding current building code limitations (11” min.). Winder treads are used at the corners of the stairways to increase the rise while turning. The existing parameters for the stairways do not present a feasible solution to create a code compliant stair to the balconies or the basement level.

Figure 42 - Balcony at North Chapel

Balconies

The balconies are in satisfactory condition at both chapels. Railings do not meet current code requirements for a 42” guardrail. Existing railing is 30” above the balcony floor. Balusters are spaced with less than a 4” clearance which meets current building code requirements. The existing balconies are original to the building and are an example of the Mission architectural style.

Figure 44 - Skunk feces Figure 45 - Skunk den entrance at duct

Figure 43 - Skunk den entrance at foundation

Animal Intrusion

The exterior façade has several small openings through the brick wall and broken windows, allowing skunks, squirrels, cats, and other small rodents and birds to enter the building.

There is ample evidence that at least one skunk is taking residence in the crawlspace under the building (e.g. skunk scent in building, burrowing in crawlspace, feces). Skunks can dig below the foundation of a building, compromising its structural integrity. In addition, the odor left from a skunk’s spray can damage in the interior flooring, paint, and woodwork.

The carcass of a cat and a squirrel were observed in the basement.