Kemper System’s Kemperol 2K-PUR has resolved water infiltration issues at New York’s Irish Hunger Memorial as part of a multi-million-pound restoration.
Soon after the memorial first opened in 2002, cracks and leaks were noticed in the structure. Water was escaping into the electrical space underneath the memorial where glass display cases and lights were installed. These leaks led to efflorescence staining on the glass display panels and discoloration of a partially cantilevered slab.
After unsuccessful attempts to correct the issues, a major two-year restoration project was launched in 2016 involving Battery Park City Authority (BPCA), CTA Architects, construction manager The LiRo Group, and roofing contractor Nicholson & Galloway.
Photo Credit: Edward Menashy.
This involved a new weatherproofing solution, which required the removal of the original roofing and ineffective waterproofing system, and reconfiguring and reinforcing the concealed core walls and substrates. A total of 2,000 sq ft of Kemperol 2K-PUR was then applied over all the exposed core walls and substrates providing a seamless and highly-durable waterproofing membrane.
The Kemperol was also wrapped around the edge of the slab for additional protection. As this was visible and to address concerns by the memorial’s artist, a mineral surfacing system which matched the finish of the concrete was incorporated into the membrane.
Victoria Ramwell, UK Marketing Manager at Kemper System said: “The original construction only featured Kemperol on the flashings. When problems began to occur, it was clear that the waterproofing had failed everywhere except where the Kemperol had been applied.
Photo Credit: Edward Menashy.
“The 2K-PUR provides a much more robust and reliable solution, which will ensure the memorial remains watertight for decades. Cold-applied, it is installed using a reinforcement fleece, which is laid directly into the wet resin. More resin is then immediately applied on top to completely saturate the fleece. This provides a visible guarantee that the right depth of coverage has been achieved avoiding the risk of weak spots or application error.”
Designed by artist Brian Tolle, the Irish Hunger Memorial represents a rural Irish landscape with an abandoned stone cottage imported from Ireland, stone walls, fallow potato fields and the flora on the north Connacht wetlands.
It features stones from each of Ireland’s 32 counties and is elevated on a limestone plinth. Along the base are bands of texts separated by layers of imported Kilkenny limestone. The text, which combines the history of the Great Famine with contemporary reports on world hunger, is cast as shadow onto illuminated frosted glass panels.
