The Hispanic Society of America Museum and Library - Roof Replacement

Sheet Metal Contractor

Gotham Metalworks
Long Island City, New York

The Hispanic Society of America, founded in 1904 as a free museum and reference library dedicated to the art and culture of the Hispanic world, recently underwent a restoration project to update its original 1908 two-tiered copper roof.

The project included removal of the existing roofing materials, abatement of asbestos surrounding ductwork in attic, installation of additional structural steel reinforcement; thermal and moisture protection and construction of substrates upon which the new decorative copper roof was constructed. All new copper work was done with 20-ounce copper sheet metal.

The new roof recreated the original rich and exuberant design, incorporating historical techniques and interjecting a few modern improvements such as insulation and vapor permeable membranes. The impressive roof is expected to perform as well or better than the original, which well outlasted its expected lifespan. Today, the Hispanic Society stands apart as the most significant collection of Hispanic art and culture in the United States.