National Institutes of Health Building 62 Children’s Inn

Building 62 was constructed in 1990 and expanded with an addition in 2004. Multiple water infiltration events led to an overall concern about the integrity of the building envelope. Because the facility was built into a sloping grade and set low in a basin, the structure and interior environment had been plagued with mold, water and moisture-related maintenance issues. Despite years of ongoing efforts to remedy these mission-jeopardizing problems and stave off the detrimental effects, the true source of the problems was determined to be inherent in the overall building systems and, thus, unable to be resolved by maintenance and repairs alone.

This project began with a comprehensive study of existing conditions to determine what repairs and replacement of existing failing exterior envelope systems would be necessary to correct deficiencies and ensure building integrity and a safe environment for occupants. The goal of the study was to convey the extent of the issues discovered and to provide recommendations for finally resolving the long-term problems. The study found that roofing, siding and stone veneer enclosure systems were poorly designed and need to be replaced with systems that would better meet the long-term needs of the Children’s Inn and put a stop to the perpetual repairs and expenses that the facility had incurred.

Following acceptance of the study and decisions regarding various options, the project advanced to construction documentation and construction administration to ensure proper and full compliance with design intent. Subsequent phases of the project were designed to implement a direct effort at ensuring failure in execution of construction detailing be avoided in the new building envelope repair and roofing work.