Bikuben Foundation

Location: 36 W. 74th St., NYC

Scope of Work:

Casement Windows with Hopper Tilting Transoms are typical for turn of the Century Edwardian Brownstones. The profiles of the casements feature 2 3/4" thick sashes, with rounded stiles in plan that interlock together for a fairly weather tight window without weather stripping. The profiles are similar to the Ansonia Building's windows, two blocks to the west.

The windows required Dutchman inlays, but few replacements of entire elements. The principal replacements were for the drip edge moldings on the outside of the sashes. Much of the damage to the windows was caused by window poles used to open the transom windows. The poles scrape and gouged the wood with great frequency. Without air conditioning, these windows and transoms were probably used daily for a large part of the year.

Virtually no epoxy was used, as the windows should last for many decades of use before needing restoration again. Glue for rebuilding was resorcinol, the most weatherproof, strongest glue for this purpose.