The Flatiron Building - Tajzler and Johnson
Restoring the Flatiron: Terracotta, Waterproofing, and Preservation Strategies for Long-Life Buildings
Sponsored by Architectural Record | Presented by Alexei Tajzler and Christie Johnson
This course explores the fundamentals of historic façade restoration through a case-study discussion of the Flatiron Building (1902) in New York City. Participants will examine how preservation practice integrates field investigation, regulatory review, material science, and constructability—especially for legacy assemblies such as terracotta cladding, masonry, limestone, and aging steel anchorage.
The session walks through how façade conditions are evaluated for public safety under recurring inspection requirements, how Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) review shapes scope and material “in-kind” replacement decisions, and how restoration teams develop modernized details (waterproofing membranes, stainless steel anchorage, protective coatings) to extend service life while maintaining historic character.
The course concludes with broadly applicable lessons on client communication, prioritization, and common preservation missteps relevant to any jurisdiction.
Photo courtesy of Alexei Tajzler and Christie Johnson
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Aaron Prinz is the host of the Design:ED Podcast and holds a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He was born and raised in the rural Northern California town of Red Bluff, just two hours south of the Oregon border. After one year of college, Prinz relocated to San Francisco to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. At age 26, he began studying architecture at Portland State University while interning at Studio Petretti Architecture led by Amanda Petretti. His professional contributions while at Studio Petretti were focused on a portion of the new Multnomah County Courthouse which is a prominent addition to the Portland skyline. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Roxanne where he continues to work as a designer. |
Architectural Record is the #1 source for design news, architect continuing education, and info on sustainability, houses, projects, and architectural products.
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in February 2026
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Differentiate common drivers of façade deterioration in early-20th-century buildings (e.g., water intrusion, corroded anchors, freeze–thaw exposure) and relate them to public safety risk.
- Assess how landmark status and preservation review processes influence allowable interventions, including criteria for in-kind replacement of façade materials such as terracotta.
- Apply a prioritization framework for façade repair vs. replacement by comparing risk (cantilevered elements, concealed cracking) with constructability, schedule, and budget constraints.
- Describe modern restoration strategies (waterproofing membranes, stainless steel anchorage, protective coatings, QA/QC fabrication workflows) that improve durability while preserving historic appearance.
