Members of the project team, Naomi Doddington and Jack Trainor, collaborated with architect SmithGroup to co-author an article that highlighted Consigli’s meticulous historic preservation work and extensive adaptive reuse that transformed one of Washington, D.C.’s oldest synagogues into a new, from-the-ground-up museum.

“This was a challenge, not only in terms of restoration but also in relation to the addition of structural systems and the creation of the water-tight environment needed for incorporation with the Museum. Careful restoration efforts ensured the synagogue could achieve appropriate museum standards, making it possible to create exhibition space on the first floor of this historic structure, and an engaging audiovisual exhibition on the second floor.”

Read more here.

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The lower plaza level of the historic Meridian Hill Park, a National Park Service site in downtown Washington known locally as Malcolm X Park, required extensive restoration efforts. The project included construction of a new accessible route through the lower plaza level to provide barrier-free entry, rehabilitation of the designed landscape, improved drainage and detailed restoration work of the park’s historic features, including installing 13,000 square feet of exposed aggregate to match the original work of J.J. Earley.

The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Memorial was constructed in 1942 to commemorate Metropolitan police officers killed in the line of duty. Also designed by Earley and likewise made up of exposed aggregate, the project saw the renovation of the historic fountain and addition of a new Memorial Wall and lighting.

“Consigli worked closely with our project partners to ensure that the restoration work enhanced the longevity of the sites while preserving the integrity and historic fabric of both Meridian Hill Park and the DC Police Memorial,” said Phil Brault, Director of Operations of the Washington, D.C. office. “This recognition by the DC Preservation League is a testament to Consigli’s commitment and passion for historic preservation here in the District, as well as to the talent of our project teams, our historic preservationists and our skilled trade partners who made these honors possible.”

This is the second year in a row that the DC Preservation League has recognized Consigli. In 2022 Consigli received the Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for Design and Construction for their work on the transformative MLK Gateway project in Anacostia.

Video about the Metropolitan Police Fountain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7qUVM4lDgk

Video about Meridian Hill Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws-SLTj7v8Y

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As the construction industry continues to face workforce challenges, opportunities like Camp NAWIC support Consigli’s efforts to help develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Naomi Doddington, Historic Preservationist in Consigli’s DC office and NAWIC member, volunteered at this year’s camp and was featured in the Washington Post column.

She shared why industry representation enables young girls to see themselves in working in the skilled trades and inspires them to pursue a rewarding career in construction.

“It’s all about getting to girls when they’re little. Like 8, 9 years old, putting the idea in their heads that this can be for them…by the time they’re seniors in high school, it might be too late.”

Read the full column, The future (of construction) is female. It starts at builder camp., here.

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As an expert in historic preservation and project manager on the Meridian Hill Park project, Naomi offered detailed insight into the team’s careful and complex restoration of existing concrete aggregate – a medium of construction pioneered by craftsman J.J. Earley in 1915 – as well as the installation of more than 13,000 square feet of new exposed aggregate paving to match the park’s original finish.

Given that no quarry ever produces the same stone twice, in order to restore the park’s original exposed aggregate, Consigli analyzed the composition of the aggregate’s stones and used that scientific analysis to develop the correct size, color and shape of new stones that were then collected from the field to match the existing materials. This method of preservation employed modern technology while keeping a thoughtful and artistic approach to the park’s restoration.

In addition to showcasing the construction and restoration work, Naomi also shared her professional background and her unique career path as a woman in construction.

“I’ve always loved history and old buildings, and the stories behind places, but I didn’t know about historic preservation when I was growing up. I started as an architecture major in college, then went over to the theater department, and I have a degree in set design. I taught school for a little while, and then I started thinking, what do I really want to do with the rest of my life? And I thought, I want to do something with history and old buildings, so I got my master’s degree in historic preservation, came over to construction management, and I have loved every minute of it.”

Click here to watch Naomi’s first Good Day D.C. segment.

Click here to watch Naomi’s second Good Day D.C. segment.

Through partnership with the National Park Service, Consigli recently completed construction and restoration work on the lower level of Meridian Hill Park, which included modernizations and improvements to the park’s accessibility, as well as the restoration of its historic features.

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Historic Meridian Hill Park was once occupied by President John Quincy Adams’ home. The process to convert the land into a public park was initiated in 1914 and completed in 1936. The park occupies an entire city block along 16^th Street NW and was named for its location on the exact longitude of the original District of Columbia milestone marker established in 1791. The park features early examples of concrete aggregate, a new medium of construction pioneered by craftsman J.J. Earley in 1915. During the park’s restoration, Consigli worked closely with their trade partner, Atlantic Refinishing and Restoration, to install over 13,000 square feet of exposed aggregate paving to match the original finish. Consigli also installed a new accessible ramp in three sections and completed other modernizations, including adding new stormwater drains and pipes.

“In order to successfully restore Meridian Hill Park, our team had to enter the mind of J.J. Earley to learn not only the how, but the why, this historic space was constructed nearly one hundred years ago to create a masterwork of exposed aggregate concrete design,” said Naomi Doddington, Project Manager and Historic Preservationist at Consigli. “The challenge in delivering these critical renovations and modernizations was significant, but we are immensely proud of the end result.”

“I have worked on many amazing projects throughout my twenty-year career, but Meridian Hill Park is especially significant, as this park a special place not only in Washington, D.C.’s history, but in my family’s, too, as it was where my father first met my mother,” said Sandra Rosario, Compliance Manager at Consigli. “It was an honor to work on restoring this park and support the restoration of a place where future generations will be able to create lifelong memories.”

In keeping with its commitment to do minimal harm to the existing environment around its projects, Consigli also constructed a suspended pavement system that allowed space for the roots of mature trees to continue to grow. Throughout the preservation process, Consigli took additional steps to work safely around the installation of dozens of trees, shrubs, and other plants facilitated by the National Park Service.

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“With American infrastructure facing so many challenges, it’s essential to demonstrate the tremendous value of investing in our character-defining, iconic bridges through the highest quality restoration which allows old facilities to meet modern needs,” said Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance. “… the Longfellow will continue to serve for several generations as it has for over a century – proudly connecting Boston’s past with its future.”

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“The careful restoration of these projects demonstrate a strong commitment to historic preservation that goes well beyond what is normally expected,” said William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Topsfield Town Hall

Longfellow Bridge

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The recent passing of architect Ieon Ming (I.M.) Pei shines a light on the debates and challenges of maintaining and restoring Modern and Postmodern architecture. Many of Pei’s buildings are recognized as historically contributing. They are also being repaired and renovated to help sustain them well into the future. Restoration of these buildings will present new challenges in the repair of post-war materials and assemblies as well as how to adapt these buildings to meet current energy conservation standards. While the basic philosophical approaches to conducting preservation work applies regardless of the architectural style, construction managers and architects must find the creative design solutions for interventions that take into account the challenges of structural elements being integral to exterior and interior finishes, which make it harder to conceal new work and modifications.

Earlier this month Consigli, along with its partners Asturian Group and the architectural firm of Quinn Evans, won the design-build contract for the restoration of the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia. The Netherlands Carillon, designed by Dutch architect Joost W.C. Boks and dedicated in 1960, is a striking Modern-era tower clad with flush steel plates and one of the first Modern style monuments in the Washington, D.C. area. The restoration of the Netherlands Carillon will require careful dismantling of the steel cladding, preparation and application of new high-performance coatings as well as the reassembly of the cladding. Mock-ups and consistent quality control will be required to ensure that the new coating systems do not increase the panel dimensions beyond what can be accommodated in the minimal original panel joints.

From a construction management perspective, Modern style buildings require a creative approach to developing restoration treatments and finding the craftspeople that can perform them. Last year, for example, we completed the Smith Campus Center at Harvard University which was the renovation and restoration of the former Holyoke Center, a Brutalist style building originally built in the 1960s. Transforming this building into a contemporary campus center for thousands of occupants while also preserving the historically unique structural elements required innovative and creative solutions. We used Consigli’s own artisan craftsmen that had the knowledge and skills to work with the original building elements but could also harmoniously incorporate new materials. They preserved the original concrete and also performed selective repairs to match the color and texture of the new materials so that it was seamless with the original structure.

When restoring and renovating historic buildings, it is important to understand that these structures are telling a story. Losing I.M. Pei in the midst of Preservation Month reminds us of the significance of an architectural style that he dramatically influenced.  As more Modern era buildings come of age and are recognized as historic buildings, it is important to understand that the expressed structural elements and industrial manufactured materials that characterize the architectural style reflects a time in our society that wanted to do away with traditions of the past in favor of and to embrace the industrial advancements and cultural/political changes of the mid-20th century. Construction managers must commit themselves to preserving the stories told by these buildings when we undertake projects that require their preservation, renovation, or restoration. At the same time, in order to save and preserve these buildings for future generations means finding innovative and creative approaches to adapt them to meet our 21st century needs.

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