What does it take to reach 100? As part of our 100th anniversary celebration, we’re posting a piece of Berglund’s history on our blog each day for 100 days. Check in each day to learn new tidbits about our company, win prizes based on your Berglund knowledge, and, most of all, to help us celebrate.
Spotlight on Berglund’s Work: Restoration
Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
When buildings are this important, you have to protect them. That’s why Chicago’s Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, which were both designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and are eligible for registry in the National Register of Historic Places, have curtain walls around them to keep out the elements. Those curtain walls needed significant repairs a few years ago, and the federal government tapped Berglund for the job.
The $18 million, 18-month project, which Berglund completed in 2006, required complex coordination. Because the buildings house offices for federal lawmakers and other high-profile tenants, all of Berglund’s workers had to get rigorous security clearance from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. In addition, the original black paint on the buildings — dubbed “Miesian Black” – was no longer available for purchase, so Berglund worked with Sherwin Williams to create a custom color that approximated the old paint as closely as possible.
Restoration work included replacing worn-out seals on the curtain walls, painting both buildings and installing a weep system to drain water away from the structures, ensuring that these landmarks stay dry and intact for years to come.
Tags: 100 years, Restoration
