As part of NYC’s Get Sheds Down initiative (commencing Monday, January 26) the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) will implement changes that directly impact how sidewalk shed permits are issued, renewed, and tracked. Conveniently, SUPERSTRUCTURES’ mission has always been to get sidewalk sheds down as soon as possible. That’s why we advocate “Fix, Then File.”

SUPERSTRUCTURES is excited to continue this ninth season of the Frost Jacking Day Tracker. "Frost jacking" is what happens when freezing temperatures cause rain or snow to turn to ice and expand cracks in a facade. As cycles of freezing and thawing accumulate, the cracks continue to grow and exterior hazardous conditions or interior water damage or leaks can occur.

This absurd video is funny—as long as nothing close to it happens, and you’re not a contractor, consultant, or client involved. It’s also a cautionary tale. We believe in drawing every construction detail to avoid misunderstandings that can come with over reliance on written specifications. But that doesn’t take the place of other measures that help ensure a project is executed to plan.

This week, we’re looking back over 20 years to when SUPERSTRUCTURES worked on one of the city’s most iconic destinations: Grand Central Terminal.

The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, known for their iconic kick line, are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. The anniversary is a reminder that 100 years is not that long ago in the scheme of things. In fact, many SUPERSTRUCTURES assignments are for buildings that are approaching 100 years old.

Miracle on 34th Street (George Seaton, 1947) is a holiday classic about a Macy’s Santa who just might be the real thing. SUPERSTRUCTURES’ restoration of various 34th Street buildings may not be miraculous, but there’s no doubt about the authenticity of the work.

Building envelope projects, by definition, entail controlling the flow of water—minimizing its impact on roofs and facades by excluding or directing it. For “Throwback Thursday,” we’re revisiting a project involving control of MASSIVE amounts of water: our work on five buildings associated with the New Croton Aqueduct, which has supplied water to New York City since 1890.

“Mockups” are an essential part of the design/construction process. Some are meant to test the appearance of materials; some are meant to test the performance of assemblies; some are designed as tutorials for contractors or to test their workmanship; and some are meant to set the standard for finished products or assemblies.

Members of our team participated in the 43rd annual SIAEA New York gala at Pier 60 on November 15th. The gala is always a highlight of the year for us. Congratulations to all the event’s honorees and scholarship recipients!

This X Files tagline reflects the importance of information to exterior restoration practitioners. The currency of a professional practice is information, so firms continually seek it in the investigation phase of a project.