Years ago, when one could hardly dream of putting cornices back on distinguished 
buildings such as Carson's or the Marquette, a preservationist commented, "The 
cornice doesn't pay rent."

On 2/22/2014 6:16 PM, Ilene Tyler wrote:
> A few years ago I did a PowerPoint presentation at Michigan's annual conference
> on exactly this subject - déjà vu! - and offered these and other ideas. Mostly,
> I presented the various building styles that have cornices, showed how they
> function and how they fail, and briefly explained what to do to protect and
> restore them. Nicely graphic, it was a popular session. All you say is true, I
> think. Modern styles omit the cornice, and suffer accordingly, but also have
> fewer water issues to contend with as the cornice deteriorates. Some modern
> repairs improve upon the original design, mostly in how they are flashed. Not
> much more to say now, but thought it worth joining the discussion.
>
> Ilene R. Tyler, FAIA, FAPT, LEED AP
> Principal and Director of Preservation
> o 734-663-5888
> m 734-417-3730
>
>
> On Feb 22, 2014, at 2:45 PM, [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> In a message dated 2/22/2014 5:20:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> writes:
>>
>>     It is my opinion that buildings without cornices tend to suffer greater
>>     deterioration of the masonry and walling in the upper portions of the
>>     walls; particularly problems with dampness, and erosion of mortar.  That
>>     said, poorly constructed or maintained cornices can lead to their own
>>     share of deterioration in the upper portions of walls.
>>
>> Now that does have to be true,   Less water, less damage.
>> But ... is that actually why they were installed?  Did architects/owners say
>> "yup, gotta get a cornice here"?   I doubt that - why else would 100% of
>> buildings lack any cornice whatsoever, not even a little burp, on the
>> non-street fronts?   Same with 19th c rowhouses - big wooden cornice on front,
>> nothing on back.  Then, too, Chrysler, Empire, Cities Service any tall
>> building - no cornices.  Indeed let us state a hypothesis - the cornice
>> disappears when it is no longer perceptible from the street.
>> Also, at this time, no discussion whatsoever "oh, golly, that William Van
>> Alen, didn't put a cornice on the Chrysler, that's gonna cost him!"
>> Sir, I think you are trying to turn my world ... upside down!
>> Yrs.   Top o' the world.
>>
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-- 

Martin C. Tangora
tangora (at) uic.edu

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