Rockwood Park Mansion
Building Envelope Improvements & Renovations
Historical Renovation Expertise Preserves Mansion’s Place in History
Problem
The Rockwood Mansion at Rockwood Park was suffering building envelope deficiencies.
Rain, snow, and wind exposure was deteriorating exterior wood finishings, causing roof leaks, and ruining paint finishings in the 170 year old mansion.
New Castle County wanted to correct these deficiencies and preserve the historical context of the mansion. Mansion renovations were the top priority on a list of other building renovations in Rockwood Park that also needed attention.
Along with these updates, the County and the Historical Society wanted clear documentation to list modern upgrades to the mansion.
Solution
A facilities condition assessment was instrumental in mapping out a long-term plan for Rockwood Park upgrades and maximizing their renovation budget.
New Castle County chose StudioJAED because of its extensive historical renovation experience. This experience was a critical asset in the historical mansion’s building envelope restoration. StudioJAED’s in-house architects and engineers worked together to complete building envelope improvements that preserved the historical context of the building. Updates included:
- Stabilized building envelope
- Refreshed exterior wood finishes
- Replaced selective doors and windows to original historical context
- Exterior masonry restoration
- Interior plaster restoration
StudioJAED worked with the New Castle County historical society to make historically appropriate updates. Aside from this, StudioJAED also created extensive documentation of conditions, updates, and materials. The documentation enhanced construction administration and creates a record of institutional knowledge for future updates.
Impact
StudioJAED preserved the historical context and integrity of the Rockwood Mansion. Documentation will ensure future updates can be completed more efficiently with respect to the mansion’s historical status.
With StudioJAED’s expertise, the County is able to maximize its budget for Rockwood Park and has a clear renovation plan for future updates. StudioJAED is leading future updates in Rockwood Park, including a conversion of the Porter’s lodge, updates to the Gardener’s cottage, and more.