Ringling Museum Ca d’Zan Gatehouse

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Completion Date: 2003/2004
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Construction Cost: $301,700.00

The Ca d’Zan Gatehouse at the Ringling Museum of Art serves as the focal point for the main entry to the museum grounds.  The Gatehouse was constructed in the early 1900’s, in conjunction with John and Mable Ringling’s estate house, Ca’ d’Zan.   In the past several decades, the Gatehouse was abandoned and suffered from neglect, termites, and deterioration.  The scope of this restoration project was to restore the building in its entirety, add HVAC, electrical, security, data, video monitoring and prepare the structure to serve as the entry to the future Visitors Center and expanded Ringling Museum.  The project consisted of replacing deteriorated floors and wall framing, furring, as well as replacing the entire roof structure.  The exterior masonry wall veneers’ cast iron grates and grills, and windows were completely restored, and all interior finishes were replaced, including plaster walls, floor tile, and ceilings.  The remaining existing vaulted plaster ceiling in the entry/porch was removed during the roof demolition, and a new framing, grounds and plaster system was installed.   

Gilchrist Elementary School Renovations

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The scope of work included site investigation, design, construction documents, bids/negotiations with construction manager, construction administration, and periodic construction observation. The proposed 2,100 square foot expansion of the cafeteria was located on the north side of the existing cafeteria building, and the 1,250 square foot material (food) storage addition was east of the existing kitchen. The existing partial open space was renovated to three resource rooms, upgraded PE fields, extended parent pick-up and extended covered walks.

Florida State University Dodd Hall Restoration

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Dodd Hall served as the Florida State University library from 1924 to 1956, when Strozier Library was completed on campus. This historic landmark is an exceptional example of Gothic Revival architecture and represents not only a significant piece of the historic fabric of the FSU campus, but also the academic history of Florida State University. This rich history is illustrated through a series of custom stained glass windows in the Werkmeister Humanities Reading Room. The central stained glass window with an intricate image of the campus and Florida landscape was constructed by Bob and Jo Ann Bischoff and includes over 10,000 individual pieces of glass. The stained glass windows flanking the grand hall illustrate key figures and events from FSU history.

The smaller west wing was built in 1925. The larger east and south wings were constructed between 1928 and 1929, bringing the building to its current configuration. Over the main entrance, rendered in gold leaf, are the words, "The half of knowledge is to know where to find knowledge." Home to the library until 1956 when Strozier Library opened, Dodd Hall has since housed the College of Arts and Sciences, the Philosophy Department and WFSU-TV. In 1961, the building was renamed in honor of William George Dodd, a former English professor and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1910–1944. Dodd Hall was completely renovated in 1991 and retains both interior and exterior architectural integrity. Even the construction of the new Dodd Hall Auditorium completed in 1993 did not detract from the building's architectural presence. In the lobby of Dodd Hall, note the large oil painting on the east wall. Commissioned by the Class of 1949 and painted by renowned artist and FSU alumna Artemis Housewright, “The University, Sunrise to Sunset” depicts University history and local flora and fauna.

A highly visible project, Florida State University approached MLD Architects (MLD) and Architects Lewis + Whitlock (AL+W) for Design, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration services to restore and stabilize the building envelope, historic windows and renovate the historic, 3,800 square foot Werkmeister Room in order to create a University Heritage Museum to celebrate the tradition and history of Florida State University.

The room is served by several existing mechanical units along each perimeter exterior wall. The utility valves and access requirements posed a difficult challenge for the new wood floor installation. The existing floor substrate was not adequate and had several areas that sagged and were depressed. The existing carpet finish and entire floor substrate were removed. The floor joist system was inspected, and several locations were repaired in order to provide adequate support for the new floor decking while bridging over existing pipes and conduits. Two layers of plywood decking were installed with glue and screw fasteners to provide a solid substrate, free of deflection and noise. The access panels, which were required at every unit (14 total), were creatively designed into the floor pattern. This allowed the joints where the wood flooring had to stop, to be concealed to the greatest extent possible. The access panels included the finish flooring as well as both layers of decking and were secured to the floor with recessed cast bronze anchors and latches that provided for an uninterrupted level floor surfaces throughout.

The main challenge the design team faced with this project was the multiple stained glass windows adorning the exterior of the Werkmeister Room. These windows had very intricate mullion detailing, as well as the obvious delicacy of the stained glass. Great care was taken when pressure washing and cleaning the exterior of the building to prevent any damage to the windows.

Multiple design workshops were conducted with FSU departments and alumni groups to achieve a vision and concept for the museum, which allows for versatile functionality and emphasizes the rich architectural character of the space.

Several meetings were held with the Bureau of Historic Preservation State Architect to ensure complete coordination with the Secretary of Interior Standards for historic preservation.

This successful project was restored according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines and Standards.

2011 Historic Preservation Award Winner

St. Joe Lighthouse Cape San Blas, Florida

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The first lighthouse at Cape San Blas, near the town of Port St. Joe, was erected in 1849. It was an 85-foot conical brick tower designed to warn ships of the dangerous shoal at the Cape. This structure was destroyed by a storm in 1851, and replaced in 1856 with a similar brick tower that was destroyed within a few months. The third lighthouse was built in 1857 and was damaged during the War Between the States, but survived until toppled by beach erosion in 1882.

In 1883 it was replaced by a 98-foot "skeletal" lighthouse comprised of eight cast iron legs that support the "watch room" and lantern at the top of the tower. Although the tower initially stood 1500 feet from the shore, a powerful storm in 1894 left it damaged and standing in water. In 1918 it was moved one quarter mile to where it stands today, and the light was lit on January 22, 1919.

The most immediate threat to the Cape San Blas Lighthouse was the deterioration and cracking of the structural cast iron foundation disks and anchor brackets bolted to the concrete footing/piers. The Architect and the Consulting Structural Engineer, Richard Givens P.E., noted significant cracking and corrosion of several of the structural cast iron foundation discs and anchor brackets, which seriously compromised the structural integrity and ability to resist wind loading.

The bracing and tie down rod stanchions, brackets and turn buckles were deteriorating at an accelerated rate from corrosion in the salt environment, and the skeletal structure, stair cylinder, and watch room had evidenced significantly more “rust bloom” over the past few years; much of the upper and lower gallery railings had deteriorated beyond repair and required replacement. The metal roof panels and battens on the Lighthouse lantern had become loose and did not appear secure, compromising the weatherproof envelope of the lantern.

The Cape San Blas site is relatively remote and no qualified contractors and metal fabricators were in this region. The environmental assessment determined the site to be contaminated with lead from years of lead painting on the lighthouse. This contamination had to be remediated before work could begin on the lighthouse.

The greatest challenge was replacing the foundation discs and anchors at the base of each of the lighthouse legs without compromising the structure further during the hurricane season. This was accomplished with the collaboration of Richard Givens P.E. and Alex Klahm, Architectural and Metal Design, Inc.

Through concerted effort of the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners, St. Joseph Historical Society, The Alfred I Dupont Foundation, and Northwest Florida Improvement Foundation, the site cleanup, lead abatement and property transfer to the County was accomplished with the US Air Force, Eglin Air Force Base.

Restoration of the Lighthouse is the final major piece on this site to complement the previously restored “twin” Keeper’s Quarters, which is regularly open for tours by the St. Joseph Historical Society.

The Architect was able to coordinate with the US Air Force and Eglin Air Force Base (previous site owner) for the lead paint abatement and site clean up by the Air Force Base and for this work to be the match for grant funding for the remaining restoration and painting. The Architect was able to prequalify a handful of general contractors with similar experience for bidding. The successful contractor was RestoCon Corp. who had teamed with an excellent metal contractor who has significant lighthouse experience (Alex Klahm, Architectural and Metal Design, Inc.).

This successful project was restored according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines and Standards.

2011 Historic Preservation Award Winner

Florida State University Computer Store

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Public/Private Client: Public
Completion Date: April, 2004
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Construction Cost: $236,400

Role in Project: Principal
Architect: Manausa Lewis & Dodson Architects
Jodie Dodson, AIA Principal / Project Architect
Iain Harnden, IIDA Project Manager

This project was developed when Florida State University decided to relocate the existing University Computer Store to a more central location. The University chose the old post office, located in the heart of the Oglesby Student Union, for the Computer Store’s new location. While presenting an ideal location, the building, which had been used for campus mail processing, was very dark and uninviting.

It was our task, as the Architect and Interior Designer, to transform the interior into a vibrant space conducive to selling computers. The space’s synergy had to parallel with the technology of the computer age and the ever-growing focus of merchandising.

Our original concept divided the space into two main segments, the public merchandising area and the private storage and repair area. While the employee portion remains utilitarian, the public areas incorporate upgraded finishes and a more organic design. Curvilinear lines accentuate the ceiling and cabinet edges, lighting focuses the eye, and perforated sheets of metal emphasize technology. This is also enhanced by the openness provided by the new window openings.

Talquin Electric Bradfordville Office

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Public/Private Client: Private
Completion Date: October 1999
Location: Bradfordville, Florida
Construction Cost: $1,250,000.00

Role in Project: Principal

Project was designed as an emergency operations facility. It includes a warehouse, operations facility, administration office, and customer service lobby and teller. Renovation of the existing building was done in phases with the Owner remaining fully operational. The site design was very complicated due to area NEW OPERATIONS BUILDING & WAREHOUSE: confinements and the attenuation of stormwater. Hard bid project that came in under budget.

Cape San Blas Lighthouse Restoration

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St. Joe Lighthouse Restorations Cape San Blas, Florida Completed 2008 Budget: $500,000 The St. Joe Lighthouse was a Florida Department of State Preservation Grant project, which included complete lead paint abatement/sand blasting, industrial painting, structural steel replacement and repairs, railing replacement and waterproofing/wet glazing.

The St. Joe Lighthouse was a Florida Department of State Preservation Grant project, which included complete lead paint abatement/sand blasting, industrial painting, structural steel replacement and repairs, railing replacement and waterproofing/wet glazing. MLD Architects, after restoration of the Keepers’ Quarters, was selected for Phase II of the project, which includes the restoration of the adjacent lighthouse.

The Cape San Blas Lighthouse project includes structural stabilization and extensive lead abatement; cast iron remediation and replacement are a major element of this project.

The lighthouse was restored in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and closely coordinated with the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historic Resources, Florida Department of State.

Villages of Lake Sumter 'I House' Restoration

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Constructed about 1885 and added on to several times over the years, the Brinson-Perry house is located east of Oxford Florida. The reconstruction of CR 466 to a four lane urban facility pushed the road too close to the house. In order to preserve the historic structure and return it to its turn of the century appearance, the house was moved approximately four miles southeast to a visually prominent position, adjacent to a new fire station. The structure was rehabilitated to fire department offices and file storage.

Wakulla County Jail Restoration

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Wakulla Jail Restoration, Phases 1, 2
Wakulla County, Florida
Completed 2005
Budget: $150,000

The Wakulla County Jail is the only surviving example of Art-Deco Architecture in Wakulla County and is the headquarters to the Wakulla County Historical Society. This project consisted of reroofing the building. There were exterior masonry and stucco repairs, and a new waterproof coating system was applied after completion of the repairs and reroofing. Phase 2 of the project consisted of window replacement and lead paint abatement.

The Grove Renovations

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The Grove has been the private residence of the Call-Collins family for over 160 years, with the current residents being Mrs. Mary Call Collins, widow of Governor LeRoy Collins. In 1985 through an agreement with the State of Florida, the Grove was designated to become a house museum. MLD has performed several projects on the site, including the original house museum renovation study and the structural study and repair of the building’s exterior.

The Governor Martin House

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Completion Date: 1997
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Construction Cost: $420,000.00

Architect: MLD Architects, Randy G. Lewis AIA, Principal
Consultant: Tomlinson Peterson and Assoc., J. Terry Peterson, Project Manager

The Governor Martin House, was built between 1929 and 1935. In 1996, the 5,000 square foot house was rehabilitated to provide space for the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. The Governor Martin House rehabilitation project was the recipient of the 1999 Tallahassee/Leon County Preservation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Civic County Resource Preservation. The project included the transformation of the existing house, which was in severe disrepair, into the new office and display space for the State Department’s Division of Cultural Affairs. Rehabilitation of the historic structure included restoration of the large open space with exposed wood beams and paneling and exterior envelope repairs.

The objective of this project was to stabilize and rehabilitate the rapidly deteriorating building, create office space for the Division of Cultural Affairs, create a facility to exhibit and honor Governor Martin and his work, and to ensure the site, building and its history are accessible to the public.

Special Requirements:

• The house is located on the oldest Spanish settlement in Florida, requiring complete archeological observation and screening of all exterior disturbances.
• Maintain the integrity of the original design of the house, while meeting the needs of the new end user
• Relocate an entire department from a 10,000 s.f. office space to a 6,000 s.f. office space with no staff reduction.
• Match the existing wood paneling where new paneling was required was difficult because of the size needed and lack of availability.
• Coordination with the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation

The Brokaw-McDouggall house

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The Brokaw-McDouggall house was home to the Tallahassee Board of Historic Preservation during these renovations. A new sprinkler system and interior renovations were required to accommodate the change to public assembly occupancy. The projects included the installation of a fire alarm and sprinkler system, replacement of the existing cedar shake shingles, interior renovations, and the selective abatement of asbestos containing plaster.

John and Mable Ringling Museum, Sarasota Florida

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Reroofing and waterproofing the Ringling Museum of Art was a very challenging and detailed project involving tear off and reroofing of the existing roof and the loggia walkways and waterproofing the loggia walkway decks. This project was performed while the Museum was in full operation and exhibiting over 300 million dollars worth of insured artwork in the Ruben Gallery.

• Reroofing North and South Wings
• Reroofing East Wing
• North Wing Loggia Waterproofing
• South Wing Loggia Waterproofing
• Cast Stone Balustrade and Statuary Repair

Remove existing low slope roofing system, install temporary roofing, rigid insulation board and insulating lightweight concrete deck, new modified bitumen roofing system, copper flashing, new HVAC duct and support stands, pigeon control, providing temporary environmental/climate control in art museum during construction.

Remove existing marble tile flooring and mortar bed around courtyard and loggia. Install sloped concrete deck filler, modified bitumen membrane waterproofing underlayment (roofing), drainage mat, mud set base, marble tile flooring to match existing, and new plaza deck drains to new storm water downleader system.

The Ringling Museum of Art is the largest museum/university complex in the nation. The objective of the project was to replace the existing roof to ensure the priceless artwork in the galleries below was not compromised in any way.

The project consisted of the removal of the existing low slope roofing system, installation of temporary roofing, rigid insulation board and insulating lightweight concrete deck, a new modified bitumen roofing system, copper flashing, HVAC ducts and support stands, pigeon control, and providing temporary environmental/climate control in the art museum during construction.

The Contractor also removed the existing marble tile flooring and mortar bed around the courtyard and loggia, installed a sloped concrete deck filler, modified bitumen membrane waterproofing underlayment (roofing), drainage mat, mud set base, marble tile flooring to match existing, and new plaza deck drains to new storm water down leader system.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the largest museum/university complex in the nation. A new roof was needed on the main museum to ensure the artwork inside the galleries was not compromised in any way. The balustrade rail, cornice, cast stone and statuary were repaired and a clear repellent sealer applied to prevent further damage. The interior renovation project included the addition of two handicapped accessible restrooms, modifications to the existing restrooms, and a wheelchair lift, all of which reflected the architectural style of the museum.

The beautiful marble loggia was in need of replacement, as cracks had appeared in the tile floor and water was leaking into the basement below. Under the project, the marble was removed and replaced to match the existing marble and a waterproof membrane was applied to prevent damage to the storage rooms .

Remove existing marble tile flooring and mortar bed around courtyard and loggia. Install sloped concrete deck filler, modified bitumen membrane waterproofing underlayment (roofing), drainage mat, mud set base, marble tile flooring to match existing, and new plaza deck drains to new storm water downleader system.

Cape San Blas Keepers Quarters Restorations

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St. Joe Lighthouse Restorations
Cape San Blas, Florida
Completed 2008
Budget: $500,000

The St. Joe Lighthouse was a Florida Department of State Preservation Grant project, which included complete lead paint abatement/sand blasting, industrial painting, structural steel replacement and repairs, railing replacement and waterproofing/wet glazing. MLD Architects, after restoration of the Keepers’ Quarters, was selected for Phase II of the project, which includes the restoration of the adjacent lighthouse.

The Cape San Blas Lighthouse project includes structural stabilization and extensive lead abatement; cast iron remediation and replacement are a major element of this project.

The lighthouse was restored in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and closely coordinated with the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historic Resources, Florida Department of State.

The St. Joe Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters was relocated from the cape to more stable ground. This project included structural stabilization and extensive renovations. MLD Architects has completed pre-construction and started on the construction phase. The Keepers' Quarters will be rehabilitated with the Secretary of Interior Standard for Rehabilitation, and coordinated with the Bureau of Historic Preservation. MLD Architects has been reselected for Phase II of the project which will include the restoration of the adjacent lighthouse.

Finley Engineering Group Corporate Offices

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Photographs provided by Lefstead Photography (850) 766-1555

Rudd Building State Warning Point and OP Room

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Florida Emergency Operations Center
Tallahassee, Florida
Completed 2008
Budget: $680,000

In the months leading up to the 2008 hurricane season, MLD Architects was asked to design and administer the total renovation of the Emergency Operations Center “War Room” and State Warning Point. The scope of work included the relocation of the Sate Warning Point (while in operation) and the total overhauling of the war room, including new furniture, new cabling and networking, new raised floor systems, flooring, paint, lighting, and new mechanical and electrical systems. Upon completion, we were personally thanked by the head of the Florida Department of Emergency Management for a job well done.

Photographs provided by Lefstead Photography (850) 766-1555

USPS Historic Main Post Office Renovations, Apalachicola

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USPS Historic Main Post Office Renovations
Apalachicola, Florida
Completed 2008
Budget: $310,000

The historic Apalachicola Post Office envelope was renovated in 2008. The windows were abated, reglazed, repaired, restored and painted. The exterior stucco was repaired, waterproofed and painted. In addition, the Ludowici clay tile roof was removed, the wood decking repaired, new underlayment installed and the original tile reinstalled with copper flashing, gutter and downspouts.

USPS AMF Reroof and Waterproofing, Jacksonville

USPS AMF Reroof and Waterproofing
Jacksonville, Florida
Completed 2005
Budget: $468,000

This project included reroofing and exterior envelope waterproofing. Roof replacement/roof over existing foam insulation board following removal of existing ballasted EPDM roofing membrane system (approximately 74,000 square feet) with glass fiber reinforced gypsum coverboard and two ply modified bitumen membrane roofing and flashing system for a 20 year NDL manufacturer’s warranty. Sheet metal flashing, gutters, downspouts and coping are part of the work. Exterior envelope waterproofing included resealing expansion and control joints, window perimeters and penetrations with premier 20 year silicone sealant, the exterior stucco and masonry was waterproofed with elastomeric coating, and doors and window frames, and structure were painted with architectural coating systems.