Project Overview
The Paulson Institute, an independent center located at the University of Chicago, is a non-partisan institution that promotes sustainable economic growth and a cleaner environment around the world. Established in 2011 by Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the former United States Secretary of the Treasury and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs, the institute’s initial focus is to facilitate concrete actions by businesses and governments in the United States and China—the world’s two largest economies and energy consumers.
This property underwent a full renovation to house academic offices and meeting spaces for the Paulson Institute. Upon completion of the renovation, the building is 6,348 sqft with 3,169 sqft assigned to the program.
Approach
The renovation project addressed the deferred maintenance for the exterior envelope. Our work scope included ADA-required upgrades, including the careful replacement of the entrance ramp, which was completed with minimal disruption to the original exterior character-defining features.
The masonry was repaired to address leakage issues and was spot tuck pointed where required, and the rear porch was repaired. Fixed energy-efficient windows replaced the non-original windows. The lintels were also repaired. A wooden access ramp incompatible with the historic character of the building was replaced with new concrete steps. The entrance door was replaced with a door that was salvaged from the demolition of houses along South Drexel Avenue between 56th and 57th streets. The original wood cornice was repaired. The east facade secondary exit stair has been replaced with metal stairs and an accessible ramp. A brick area that at one point served as a kind of foundation for the original porch was removed was repaired. New lighting and landscaping respects the raised entry sequence from the sidewalk and maintains a residential character.