AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: High-Rise Category

Berkshire Towers

Beltsville, Maryland

Submitted by Consolidated Waterproofing Contractors, Inc.

This 20-story rental complex is comprised of three multi-wing brick-veneer buildings, with a total of 864 balconies, most of which were experiencing some degree of deterioration. Loose railings in pockets filled with gypsum grout also presented unsafe conditions for occupants. After an extensive engineering evaluation, balconies were repaired using a high-early, shrinkage-compensated cementitious material, followed by an elastomeric, waterproof, traffic-bearing coating, and reattachment or replacement of railings. A decorative and protective acrylic coating on the 400,000 square feet (37,000 square meters) exterior of the buildings capped the project and dramatically improved the appearance of the complex. The very large project was completed on time, to the pleasure of the building’s occupants, and on budget, to the pleasure of the owner.