University of Connecticut

Cast Stone Institute 2013 RESTORATION EXCELLENCE Award Winner

This cast stone restoration project at the University of Connecticut encompasses replacement of the existing ornate elements including the detailed turrets, dentil cornices, surrounds, crockets, rosettes, panels, quoins, coping, medallions and bands. Original deteriorated elements were removed from the building and sent to Sun Precast where the fine details of the elements were carefully restored by our in-house craftsmen. New cast stone was fabricated using a custom mix design to match the original finish. The restored cast stone was meticulously set by the expert craftsmen of G.L. Capasso Inc.

The replacement Cast Stone is a perfect replication of the original structure. The intricate architectural details were replicated using sculpting techniques to enhance the original details prior to casting with rubber and fiberglass molds. Cast Stone served to maintain the historical integrity of the project, and allowed for maintaining the fine architectural details of the buildings.
The role of Cast Stone was to replicate the original exposed aggregate Cast Stone elements, while matching the remaining cast stone that was not being replaced.

Comments from the Judges:
"This building was extremely impressive and shows the diversity of complex Cast Stone pieces in the restoration effort."

"In this historic building, the cast stone pieces were made to look old so it is an excellent project from that perspective and also the intricacies of the cast stone pieces and scope of the project made this a clear winner."

Masonry Contractor: G. L. Capasso Inc. | Architect: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. | Photos courtesy of James R. Anderson Photography

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