Casa Italiana at Columbia University in New York City is a neo-Renaissance building designed by William M. Kendall of McKim, Mead and White. Graciano Corporation was engaged by Columbia University in the City of New York to perform a comprehensive restoration of the building's limestone and terra cotta facade and a full replacement of the roof. The project ran from April 2022 to October 2024.
Scope of Work
The work encompassed two main categories: exterior facade cleaning and restoration, and a complete roof system replacement.
- Limestone facade cleaning and restoration
- Terra cotta facade restoration
- Full roof replacement with Ludowici tile and copper
Facade Restoration
The limestone and terra cotta exterior of Casa Italiana required careful cleaning and selective restoration to address weathering, staining, and deterioration accumulated over many decades of exposure in an urban environment. Graciano's in-house journeymen performed the cleaning and restoration work, matching materials and methods to the original construction. Terra cotta restoration at a building of this architectural character demands precise unit matching, careful removal of failed units, and application of compatible replacement materials.
Roof Replacement
The existing roof was replaced in its entirety with Ludowici tile and copper, preserving the building's historic appearance while delivering a new roofing assembly that will perform for decades. Ludowici ceramic tile is the historically appropriate tile type for buildings of this period and style; Graciano coordinated the tile fabrication and installation to match the original roof profile and color.
