Masonry Magazine September 2005 Page. 38
MASONRY AROUND THE NATION
Photos courtesy of Consigli Construction
THE SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE OF Old World Craftsmanship And New World Technology
WHEN BOWDOIN COLLEGE CALLED ON Consigli Construction to help determine whether to demolish and rebuild or completely restore the college's historic Romanesque-style campus chapel, the answer became clear very quickly: do both. Thus began a two-and-a-half-year odyssey during which the tops of the twin-towered landmark were completely rebuilt from belfry to spire and the entire granite façade of the building was carefully removed, restored and replaced one stone at a time - all thanks to a combination of old-fashioned meticulous handwork and 21st century tracking tools.
Technology Facilitates Pre-construction
ONE OF THE FIRST challenges facing the Consigli team in the pre-construction phase was the existence of scaffolding the owner had already erected around the lower portion of the chapel. Using 3D computer models, Consigli determined that if the scaffolding continued to be built as planned, it would run right into the overhang of the belfry. The models also revealed that the number and position of the posts, bars and braces used would prevent work from proceeding efficiently and on schedule. Thanks to this technology, Consigli was able to propose that the existing scaffolding come down and that it be replaced with a mast climbing platform. Thanks to these 3D modding tools, Consigli was able to demonstrate visually both the problems presented by the scaffolding and the added value the mast climbing system would bring to the job, which made it easy for the owner to readily agree to the change.