SUBMITTED TO THE PATRONATO SAN XAVIER
BY BOB VINT, ARCHITECT, TUCSON, AZ
STABILIZATION: SACRISTY ARCADE; ROOF MAINTENANCE:
Site Visits: 10.12.11, 10.26.11, 11.12.11, 11.23.11, 12.09.11, 12.22.11, 01.11.12
(A.1) 10.12.11 SITE MEETING (9:30 a.m., 50º, cool, clear, light breeze)
PRESENT: Bob Vint, Danny Morales, Alex, Freddy, Jorge & Sonny (no Vince or Santi today)
WORK IN PROGRESS: Continued stabilization of Arch #1 (Jorge); interior wall of Arcade @ west side adobe wall (Alex & Santi) and north Pier #6 (Freddy); work @ NW corner of arcade (Sonny).
DISCUSSED: Detail of bond beam at top of wall [BV sketched section diagram – copy to Danny].
(A.3) 11.12.11 SITE VIST 2:00 PM (50º, cloudy)
PRESENT: Bob Vint, Alexandra Fuente Navarro [UA grad student/intern in preservation]
WORK IN PROGRESS: None; a Saturday visit to verify conditions @ entry way for design of dust control vestibule. Measured pews, aisles, doors etc. Confirmed HABS dimensions, some conditions have changed [such as removal of sloped wood floor that was present in 1940].
DISCUSSED: Integration of shelves [or closed cabinets, with lockable door if desired] for prayer books in design of vestibule, to eliminate rolling book cart now stored in Baptistery that causes damage to walls as it id brought in and out of church [concept suggested by Patronato Pres. Chuck Albanese, during visit of conservator Aneta Zebala in September].
(A.4) 11.23.11 SITE MEETING (8:00 a.m., 45º, cool, clear)
PRESENT: B. Vint, D. Morales, MRB crew [Sonny, Alex, Santi, Jorge & Freddy].
WORK IN PROGRESS: Continued stabilization of Arch #1 (Jorge); interior wall of Arcade @ west side
WORK IN PROGRESS: Replacing fractured adobe at east wall bearing level; Danny uncovered a major pocket of deterioration at the inside corner of the south wall where a roof scupper (canal) has been leaking inside the wall for many years. The adobe was dissolved to powder and the mesquite beans rotted to the point of disintegration. The corner will have to be rebuilt. This condition underscores the importance of the work now being done on the arcade – for this roof was at the point of collapse, but the damage was unseen until the Morales crew removed the cement plaster coating. It also illustrates why it is impossible to fix the schedule or budget, as unforeseen conditions such as this emerge as the work progresses.
DISCUSSED: Work plan for restructuring Pier #1; lay burnt adobe buttress @ interior, building on historic partial-height buttress. Dome maintenance in progress – Vince & Santi mortar-washed main dome (cupola) last week as part of bi-yearly maintenance. Danny is hoping to continue with domes of Apse & Transepts, but there’s rain in the forecast and work may be delayed.
(A.5) 12.09.11 SITE MEETING (8:00 a.m., 50º, partial clouds)
PRESENT: B. Vint, D. Morales & MRB crew [Alex, Freddy, Jorge, Vincent, Santi & Sonny]
WORK IN PROGRESS: Re-pointing Arch #1; laying burnt adobe @ Pier #1
DISCUSSED: Roof maintenance complete @ Apse and side altars (Transepts); BV & DM climbed tower to view condition of vaults. Mortar-washing is thorough.
(A.6) 12.22.11 SITE MEETING (8:00 a.m., 42º, cool, cloudy)
PRESENT: B. Vint, D. Morales & MRB crew [Alex, Freddy, Jorge, Vincent, Santi & Sonny]
WORK IN PROGRESS: Laying burnt adobe @ Pier #1 interior (20” x 20”); Danny has drilled the adobe to install fiberglass 4 re-bar verticals set in lime mortar. Masonry @ north end of arcade (Freddy); Jamb @ north window @ Chapter Rm. (Danny)
DISCUSSED: Top of wall stabilized @ parapet, continuously. Will start laying bond beam after 1st of year. MRB will take full week holiday from Friday before Christmas, to Monday after New Year’s Day.
A REMINDER OF THE BIG PICTURE:
END OF REPORT