We’re architects, engineers, technologists, and sometimes, archaeologists. While we don’t sift through sand looking for evidence of lost civilizations, on some projects, reversing building alterations has revealed some interesting architectural artifacts.

William “Boss” Tweed was the head of the notorious Tammany Hall, which dominated NYC politics in the mid 1800s. But don’t hold that against the historic courthouse at 52 Chambers Street that bears his name. SUPERSTRUCTURES is known for our work restoring the outside of the building envelope, but in this case, restoration involved significant work on the inside of the envelope as well.

In a situation like this, you might ask, “Just how heavy is that cat?” It’s easy to equate correlation with causation, to assume that because the cat is lying on the collapsed area of the canopy, it caused the structure’s failure. But here, as in our practice of exterior restoration, there’s more than meets the eye.

On the morning of October 1st, everyone in NYC—and beyond—heard the news that part of building 4 of the Mitchel Houses in the Bronx had collapsed. Thankfully, no one was injured when a gas explosion caused the boiler’s 20-story brick ventilation shaft to partially collapse. SUPERSTRUCTURES’ team was among the first responders, providing engineering services under our term contract with NYCHA.

President Kennedy’s 1962 proclamation that “we choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard,” is often cited as an example of intrepid determination. It also applies to our practice of exterior restoration.

Our project posts often include photos of our staff matching new brick to that of the existing building. But we also pay close attention to the mortar that holds the masonry units in place, resisting movement and water infiltration.

Engineering and Architecture may be obvious components of our practice (they’re in our name), but there’s another equally important element forming a three-part Venn diagram: Technology.

HBO’s The Gilded Age dramatizes the “opera war” of the early 1880s, when nouveau riche families who were shut out of the old-money social circle of the Academy of Music established the rival Metropolitan Opera House. But if you fancy a night out at one of these historic venues, you’ll need a time machine… That’s because the Academy (once housed at East 14th Street and Irving Place) and the “Old Met” (originally at 1411 Broadway) are both lost to history. Time travel (and costume drama) aside, SUPERSTRUCTURES has worked to restore the buildings that replaced both Gilded Age structures.

Our team has been working on the railroad…in a sense. We’ve conducted a condition assessment survey of the White Pot Junction elevated railroad structure in Ozone Park, Queens for NYC DCAS—a site that could become the next High Line. The sheer scale of this two-mile section of abandoned LIRR line made for a massive undertaking. But our team was able to complete the survey on a tight schedule thanks to high-tech methodology coupled with their on-site expertise.

“Misunderestimate” is a good example of a creative malapropism. It’s also a useful concept in the practice of exterior restoration. Contractors are obligated to produce results that conform to the engineers’ and architects’ (E/A’s) contract documents. If contractors misunderstand the scope of work to be performed, they may underestimate the means and methods required.