03 UCC-DAAP Exterior 001, originally uploaded by darajan

Peter Eisenman’s Aronoff Center at the University of Cincinnati is in need for a $4.5 million façade renovation (pdf):

Façade renovation of the Aronoff Center. The Aronoff Center is a six-story structure built in 1996 with an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), window assembles, and a single-ply membrane roof with associated flashings consisting of a floor plate of approximately 130,000 gross s.f. total area. This project will renovate/restore the existing building envelope and complete renovation to exterior wall systems and interior finishes/assemblies damaged as a result of moisture or water damage.

The first part of the design will include all forensic investigations to develop the Program of Requirements to eliminate the migration of moisture, establish the priority of work scope with schedule and budget. The University will provide a previously commissioned façade investigation report upon request.

The second part of the design phase will include design document preparation for construction, bid/award, contract administration of construction and project closeout. Construction phase sequencing will be required to facilitate the existing building’s operations, as well as those of the surrounding buildings, throughout the construction period.

The total cost is budgeted at $4.5 million with design services starting in January 2009, construction contracts completed by April 2011 and professional services completed July 2011. When I attended UC, the Aronoff Center’s piazza skylights were replaced and the interior plasterboard in many areas were also renovated. This will be the second major renovation to the brilliant, if functionally challenged, building.

As Eisenman’s projects in Ohio go, he is now 2-for-3 in projects needing extensive repair; the Wexner Center at the Ohio State University built in 1989 was renovated in 2005 to secure the building envelope, control interior moisture and to calibrate gallery natural light (Renovation fact sheet pdf). No word yet if the Columbus Convention Center, built in 1993, is in need of repair. Or if batting .667 will get Eisenman into the Hall of Fame.

Update 28 OCT 2011

From an article from last year, construction costs have ballooned up to $6 million, including a complete facade replacement and internal improvements:

So when Ms. McGrew went to see Mr. Eisenman to discuss the exterior—”as a courtesy,” she says—Mr. Chatterjee came along. So did Mr. McInturf. Mr. Eisenman sided with Mr. Chatterjee—the colors were crucial, he said, not for aesthetic reasons, but because they constituted an essential notational element of the design. That tipped the scales in favor of preservation­—and against the black-and-white scheme. Next summer, when repairs begin, the exterior’s original colors will be restored.

The colored aluminum will cost about $6-million; the different finishes required for the Eisenman-in-black-and-white scheme would have cost a little more, Ms. McGrew says. The whole complex will be reroofed at the same time, and it may get some interior upgrades too—the carpet is worn, and the drywall has taken a beating in places where students use the building heavily.

Update 27 Apr 2012

This post is becoming somewhat of an update hub to the continuing problems the University of Cincinnati is having with the DAAP building. Here are some older documents, which I found after seeing so many people visit this post.

Submitted by the University to the Ohio Regents in September, 2010 to bolster a tuition rate increase, this interesting document lays out the total facade and roof renovations to cost $20,900,000 which will be financed with a 20 year bond:

DAAP Façade Improvement and Roof Replacement ~ $20,900,000 The primary purpose of this project is to remediate water damage and renovate the Aronoff Center which houses the nationally-ranked College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. The project entails the investigation of the extent and causes of the water infiltration into the Aronoff Center and renovation of the façade to both correct the exterior detailing, in a manner that both facilitates long-term building maintenance and ensures the continued image of the building, and prevent future damage. The replacement of the roofs on the entire DAAP complex is also included in this scope of work. The DAAP Façade Improvement and Roof Replacement project was approved within the Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 on June 22, 2010; University debt authorization for the project was also received on June 22, 2010. The project is currently in design and is scheduled to be placed out to bid in January, 2011. Contract awards are expected in April 2011; construction is expected to commence in May 2011 with an estimated completion date of June 2012.

The University of Cincinnati estimates that $20,900,000 in total debt authority is sufficient to fund the $19,500,000 in project costs and estimated debt issuance costs. Moreover, the institution estimates the average annual debt service for this project to be $1,600,000 based on a 5% annual interest rate; which will be repaid over 20 years with undesignated general funds.

The University of Cincinnati September 2010 Fee Pledge Request

Next up is a document dated October 10, 2011, when KZF Architects issued UC Project No 06087A Addendum 04 and Project Manual, which listed the following bid amounts for the Facade renovation:

So to do simple math, the University is estimating that the facade and the roof will both each cost $10 million, and they might as well mobilize contractors at the same time to reduce time and overhead. What I can’t find are the bids for the roof renovation.

By my count, this will be the third time the roof has been renovated:

• 1997/1998 Skylight and water penetration renovation
• 2002 Water penetration issues, causing repair and renovation
• 2012 Roof renovation

Update 28 May 2012
An alumnus writes in with Photos of Peter Eisenman’s DAAP Building Renovation.

Update 25 Oct 2012
Check out the Aronoff Center Renovation Webcam.