Precast concrete replaces cast stone at Boston College

摘要

Built in 1917, St. Mary's Hall was the second building constructed on the Boston College campus. The facade of this sweeping gothic structure features graceful arches and intricate detailing replete with bas-relief panels and busts that reflect the traditional architectural style of the campus. After nearly 100 years, though, the cast stone facade had begun to wear away. Canadian precast concrete designer Beton Prefabrique du Lac (BPDL) was brought in to help restore the building to its original glory. The biggest challenge, says Robert Bouchard, chief executive officer of BPDL, was that all of the elements had to be restored to the way they looked 100 years ago before they could be replicated. "The original pieces had lost a lot of their profile and degree of expression over the years," he says. "Restoring and reproducing them was very intricate work."