BLAIR HOUSE

Project Summary

Operated by the Department of State, the historic Blair House accommodates foreign heads of state and their delegations during visits to the United States. The Ross Garden occupies a large courtyard enclosed by Blair House. The Embassy Kitchen and ancillary functions occupy spaces directly below the garden and courtyard.

Water intrusion through the concrete structure underlying Ross Garden indicated failure of the waterproofing system underlying as much as three feet of soil, paving and mature specimen plants. The leakage disrupted normal use and operations in the below-grade spaces, and threatened to damage the reinforced concrete structure. While employed at Consolidated Engineering Services as Director of Architecture & Structural Engineering, Mr. Houk oversaw an investigation to verify the root causes of the envelope system failure and determine the required corrective actions. A restoration plan was developed and implemented to correct deficient waterproofing and restore the garden.

The execution of the remedial work required large stone pavers and other furnishings, along with several mature specimen trees, to be removed from the fully enclosed space and re-installed after the completion of repairs. The project was completed in 2006.