Smithsonian Institution Renwick Gallery

Water Infiltration Investigation and Facade Rehabilitation

Originally designed and built in 1859 to house the extensive William Wilson Corcoran art collection, the Second Empire-style Renwick Gallery with its elaboration on classical themes is artwork in and of itself. Renwick Gallery is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

To restore one of the District’s premier galleries, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers investigated the causes and resolved the problems of extensive water infiltration that had damaged the gallery’s interior wall finishes.

Phased to give priority to areas of severe deterioration that required immediate attention and to accommodate the owner’s budget requirements, the firm’s program provided for the rehabilitation of failed mortar and sealant joints at the gallery’s brick masonry and stone facades. The facades’ extremely narrow mortar joints, characteristic of mid-1800s masonry construction, posed challenges in formulating and applying an appropriate mortar mix. Experienced in the specification and design of custom historic repointing and masonry restoration, Hoffmann’s design professionals developed and administered a suitable treatment for the landmark facade to ensure a successful restoration effort.