Masonry Magazine December 1992 Page. 15
Brooklyn Building Wins Excellence Award
The Landings at Fresh Creek building, Louisiana Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, won the Class II (intermediate volume of man-hours) award in the Masonry Institute of New York City and Long island's fifth annual Excellence in Masonry Awards Program. Architect for the project was Herbert L. Mandel of New York City. Mason contractor was J and R Brick Masonry, Rockville Centre, New York. Class I award winning architects for the new Stuyvesant High School building in Battery Park City, New York, were Cooper, Robertson and Partners, New York City and Gruzen, Samton, Steinglass, associate architects; mason contractor was Kelly Masonry Corporation, Mineola, New York. Class III winner for the Woodbury Jewish Center, Woodbury, New York, was the Spector Group, architects, North Hills, New York; Mason contractor was F.W. Koehler and Sons, Farmingdale, New York.
It would also be easier (therefore less expensive) to build if the fireback and smoke chamber walls were kept straight. And the chimney would be safer (getting out under a combustible header is usually a problem) and the system more efficient if it were kept inside the house. The masonry industry can build straight-backed fireplaces with manufactured clay throats and smoke chambers. This engineered, simple design and these components would enable ordinary masons to save time and build masonry fireplaces that work, are safe, meet code and are reasonably efficient. (see attached plan)
Planning guides, instructions and list of material:
Manufacturers could develop several standard fireplaces and chimneys with pictures, building instructions and a list of materials. Masonry contractors, builders and dealers could all use these guides for planning and bidding, as well as for sales promotion.
Improved handling of materials-palletizing by manufacturers:
Manufacturers should palletize fireplaces to make it easier for dealers to figure and deliver materials to their customers. The pallet should include firebrick, fireclay mortar, throat, damper and smoke chamber and enough flues for a typical job, and "instructions" or a packing slip which would list the number of brick or block that would be required as well as any additional materials for taller chimneys. The manufacturers would sell more brick, block, firebrick, dampers, fireclay mortar, and flue tile, the dealers would save the time and effort of figuring each job from scratch and putting together materials-or risk having to make a second delivery or taking back extra material. The end result should be less expensive materials for masonry fireplaces and chimneys.
Coordination by local masonry materials dealers:
Masonry materials dealers could establish a "masonry fireplace hot line" for builders and provide training, support, referrals and coordination for participating masons.
Changes in work scheduling (sequencing):
The chimney and fireplace might be about the first thing built, right after the slab or foundation is in and before the framing begins, as is the practice in the Southwest. Especially in frame houses with no other masonry, the masons who lay up foundations should be the ones to build the fireplace and chimney at the same time that they build the foundation and be out of the way by the time the framers arrive, saving the time, expense and the complexity of coming back and setting up a second time-or, from the builder's point of view, the aggravation of yet another subcontractor at a time when the place is swarming with carpenters, plasterers, roofers and mechanical subs.
House Plan Design Changes:
Additional savings could be had if the chimney were built entirely within the outside walls of the house because less expensive brick or block could be used where the masonry will be covered by plaster or siding. The chimney would be more efficient because heat lost by the chimney would stay within the house, and it would be safer because it would avoid building the fireplace under a frame header. From an aesthetic
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