Mechtech Engineering evaluated the existing conditions of the mechanical system of the mansion and carriage house last week. An older natural gas forced air furnace provides heat for the basement, main, and second levels of the mansion. It is an 80% efficiency twin set unit that does not provide air conditioning. The air is distributed through the original heating vents, which are located on interior walls. Modern mechanical systems are generally located near the exterior walls and/or windows. Two electric baseboard heaters on the second level supplement the system. Air conditioning on the main level is provided via two window units. The attic level is heated by a 90% efficiency natural gas furnace that also provides air conditioning. The ductwork for this area is exposed. The carriage house is not heated by a mechanical system.
The plumbing in the mansion is dated, with some pipes being original to the system. Currently, hot water is generated by an 80 gallon natural gas commercial hot water heater, which is located in the basement. Historically, a cistern in the attic space collected water that was used for the mansion’s original plumbing system. The cistern itself is still present in a mechanical room at the top of the stairs to the attic.
Recommendations
While the current systems could continue to serve a residential use of the building, any commercial use would require new mechanical and plumbing systems. Active use of the carriage house would require installation of a mechanical system. The location of the property adjacent to the Jordan River makes it a good candidate for a renewable heating and cooling approach.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Open House & Funding
Open House
Approximately 200 people attended the open house at the Fisher Mansion on October 31, 2009 to take a tour, visit information stations that provided details from the draft Historic Structure Report (HSR) findings, and have the opportunity to provide feedback. A highlight of the open house was the opportunity to see the original wood floor in the library and dining room, which was discovered to be intact during the HSR team’s investigations. In addition to revealing the wood flooring, the City’s property management crew also opened up the top half of the gypsum board walls that were added to enclose the main stairwell when the mansion served as a group home. This allowed the natural light from the skylight to flow down to the main floor and gave visitors a sense of the original character of the main staircase and skylight. Open house guests also had the chance to visit the upper levels of both the mansion and the carriage house and observe the unique structural framing design used by architect Richard Kletting for the buildings.
Funding
The City has received notice that $150,000 from the Save America’s Treasures program is available to help catalyze restoration efforts for the Fisher Mansion project. Specific uses for the funding have not been established, although immediate needs include the repair and structural upgrade of the carriage house, which has been identified as having great potential for a community-oriented use. Several small donations were also made by visitors to the open house event.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13685774?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Approximately 200 people attended the open house at the Fisher Mansion on October 31, 2009 to take a tour, visit information stations that provided details from the draft Historic Structure Report (HSR) findings, and have the opportunity to provide feedback. A highlight of the open house was the opportunity to see the original wood floor in the library and dining room, which was discovered to be intact during the HSR team’s investigations. In addition to revealing the wood flooring, the City’s property management crew also opened up the top half of the gypsum board walls that were added to enclose the main stairwell when the mansion served as a group home. This allowed the natural light from the skylight to flow down to the main floor and gave visitors a sense of the original character of the main staircase and skylight. Open house guests also had the chance to visit the upper levels of both the mansion and the carriage house and observe the unique structural framing design used by architect Richard Kletting for the buildings.
Funding
The City has received notice that $150,000 from the Save America’s Treasures program is available to help catalyze restoration efforts for the Fisher Mansion project. Specific uses for the funding have not been established, although immediate needs include the repair and structural upgrade of the carriage house, which has been identified as having great potential for a community-oriented use. Several small donations were also made by visitors to the open house event.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13685774?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
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