Historic Restoration Galleries

Archbold Biological Station Historic Reroof : During 1930-33, John A. Roebling, II (1867-1952), grandson of John A. Roebling, designing engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, and son of Washington Roebling, who built the Brooklyn Bridge, built six concrete buildings, and a 70,000 gallon steel, water-storage tank, for his 1,058-acre Red Hill Estate in southern Highlands Co., Florida. The extraordinary Roebling buildings, in Industrial Vernacular design with pigmented coquina stucco, soundly built of poured concrete using excellent materials and construction practices, were originally the support and storage facilities for a mansion that was never built. On July 28, 1941, Roebling gave his Red Hill Estate to Richard Archbold (1907-76), a biological explorer and patron of science. Thus, Archbold founded the Archbold Biological Station and became the Resident Director. At his death in 1976, he left his fortune as a permanent endowment, and with Archbold family leadership, the Station continues to thrive. The project was focused on the restoration of the historic roof of the Main Building including the seven storehouse modules, with their imposing saw-tooth construction, and the more traditional Main Residence south section. The funding of the project was from two separate Florida DHR Special Category Awards (one for four roof modules, the other for the remaining three roof modules and the Main Residence section) and with matching funds from Archbold Biological Station. Although funding was in two phases the timing of the construction process was essentially continuous during March – November 2007. Photographs provided by Hilary M. Swain, Executive Director of Archbold Biological Station or Bert G. Crawford, III, Operations Manager of Archbold Biological Station

Archbold Biological Station Historic Reroof

During 1930-33, John A. Roebling, II (1867-1952), grandson of John A. ...

Updated: Jun 20, 2008 5:22am PST

Ringling Museum Restoration : Reroofing and waterproofing the Ringling Museum was a very challenging and detailed project involving tear off and reproofing of the existing roof and tear off of 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. This project involved the removal of the existing low slope roofing system, installation of 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 and providing temporary environmental/climate control in art museum during construction. The project also included removal of the existing marble tile flooring and mortar bed around courtyard and loggia. Installation of 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 stormwater downleader systems. MLD Architects won the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Award for their work with the Ringling Museum and Gatehouse.

Ringling Museum Restoration

Reroofing and waterproofing the Ringling Museum was a very challenging ...

Updated: Jul 01, 2008 8:30am PST

Ringling Ca d'Zan Restoration : This project included repairing, restoring and painting rusted and leaking steel casement stained glass windows and doors. Exterior window and door joints, perimeters and glazing were sealed. The project also included the repair and sealing of voids in grout joints, window casement perimeters, and terra cotta architecture elements to stucco surfaces. Replacement of joint sealants in counterflashing reglets, stone tile pavers, roof flashings, and roof repairs. Removal of ornamental column and floor finishes on the west elevation of Ca' D'Zan courtyard room. Cutting out, removing, repairing and replacement of deteriorated reinforcing steel and cracked structural concrete throughout basement and courtyard structural columns and arches, and reinstalling original ornamental marble finishes on columns and floor. All work of this project complies with the Secretary of Interiors' Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and was review by the Florida Department of State Historic Preservation Architect.

Ringling Ca d'Zan Restoration

This project included repairing, restoring and painting rusted and lea ...

Updated: May 21, 2008 7:37am PST

City Waterworks Restoration : To quote the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board, “Historically, the Waterworks is significant as the first “modern” system to bring water to the residents of Tallahassee. Architecturally, the building is a fine example of turn-of-the-century industrial construction. With its masonry construction, arched windows and doors, distinctive roof configuration, and spacious interior, the Waterworks is an important addition to downtown. It is strategically located by Cascades Park and the Old Jail.” MLD Architects won the 2008 Tallahassee/Leon County Historic Preservation Award and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Award for their work on the City Waterworks project.

City Waterworks Restoration

To quote the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board, “Historically, ...

Updated: Jun 25, 2008 12:45pm PST

Cape San Blas Lighthouse Keepers Quarters Restoration : 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. 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.

Cape San Blas Lighthouse Keepers Quarters Restoration

The St. Joe Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters was relocated from the cape t ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2008 6:47am PST

Villages of Lake Sumter 'I House' Restoration : 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.

Villages of Lake Sumter 'I House' Restoration

Constructed about 1885 and added on to several times over the years, t ...

Updated: Jul 09, 2008 11:44am PST

Jones Tenant House and Corn Crib : Recipient of the 2005 Tallahassee/ Leon County Historical Preservation Award the Jones Tenant House and Corn Crib are located on Tall Timbers Research Station and were built in the early 1900’s. The Jones House is an original tenant farmhouse with an adjacent corncrib. They have fallen into disrepair due to their age and the harsh affects of the weather. As it is one of the last remaining tenant farmhouses located on public land, the Tall Timbers Research Station has drawn on historical restoration funds to return this landmark to its prime. An archeological investigation indicates it was believed that an older structure was located here before the Jones House was built.

Jones Tenant House and Corn Crib

Recipient of the 2005 Tallahassee/ Leon County Historical Preservation ...

Updated: Jul 09, 2008 2:05pm PST

Cape San Blas Lighthouse Restoration : 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.

Cape San Blas Lighthouse Restoration

MLD Architects, after restoration of the Keepers’ Quarters, was sele ...

Updated: Dec 02, 2008 12:05pm PST

Historic Capitol Reroof : The historic Capitol, which had been restored ten years earlier, suffered from serious water damage during the ensuing years. The perimeter gutter system at the base of the dome had been covered over, which caused the rain to corrode the existing ornamental metal work. MLD designed a new copper gutter system and balustrade to correct the problem, and replaced the badly corroded copper urns. The existing shingle roof was replaced, deteriorated windows repaired and sealed, and the original mortise and tenon construction was shored up. Following the exterior renovation, the damaged interior areas were restored.

Historic Capitol Reroof

The historic Capitol, which had been restored ten years earlier, suffe ...

Updated: May 14, 2009 7:46am PST

Brokaw McDougall Restorations : 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.

Brokaw McDougall Restorations

The Brokaw-McDouggall house was home to the Tallahassee Board of Histo ...

Updated: Aug 26, 2009 5:13am PST