Case Western Reserve Magnolia House.

The Project

Searching for longevity and an enduring design solution, Case Western Reserve University's (CWRU) Housing Department contacted studioTECHNE to renovate their twenty-two year old sorority house.

The Design Challenge

The Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) cladding on their sorority house had failed at the windows and roof edges, allowing a substantial amount of water to penetrate the wall system just as students were about to move back in for the beginning of the school year.

Our Restoration Process

We approached the challenge by first directing the removal of the exterior wall system, windows, skylights, and roofing in order to remediate the damage. Then, repairs began with installing a spray on permeable weather barrier, addition of new insulation on the walls and roof, and construction of a properly vented brick rain-screen cladding around the building. In addition to the brick detailing that compliments the surrounding neighborhood, new roof, flashing, and gutter details were installed to minimize maintenance and repair to the structure for the next 50 years. From our experience with forensic building analysis and knowledge of building construction methods, we were able to utilize CWRU's budget to effectively restore the entire building exterior, providing the university with a safe, healthy, and energy efficient space.