Paul J Lukes

Recladding the Alaska State Capitol Paul J Lukes

This publication documents the recent recladding of the historic 1930 Alaska State Capitol building and uses this project as a case study to advocate for a more rational approach to historic preservation than is often encountered. It outlines this historic building's severe structural and masonry problems, describes the recladding in detail, and summarizes the reasons why recladding was by far the most reasonable approach. With over 70 technical construction drawings, this publication also serves as an excellent guide for state-of-the-art masonry veneer design and construction, as well as historic preservation, for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It touches on various technical building enclosure issues ranging from how buildings get wet and what factors destroy masonry materials, to how inherent movement in the cladding can be accommodated, among others. Ample photos of the damaged capitol as it was prior to recladding, and of the construction process, help illustrate the project.