Hamilton College Chapel
Ryan Biggs Clark Davis is providing structural engineering services for restoration work at the Chapel at Hamilton College, constructed in 1827 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Chapel’s tower and steeple façade was designed by Richard Hooker, an Albany, NY architect whose other noteworthy projects include the New York State Capitol Building and The Albany Academy. The main body of the chapel, designed by Hamilton College Trustee John Lothrop, is unique as potentially the last three-story church of its era remaining in the US today. The private liberal arts college is located in Clinton, NY.
In collaboration with Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects, we are designing masonry repairs to the chapel tower. Our scope also includes reinforcing the sloped roof, and replacement of the traditionally-framed wood tower which supports the steeple. As part of our work, the top 35 feet of the 60-foot steeple has been temporarily removed so that the framing can be replaced. The removed portion steeple will be reinstalled later this summer. We also provided Delegated Design services to the scaffolding contractor for scaffolding around the building and steeple. The scaffolding was required to clear span over the roof to avoid interior support through existing building.
