Harvard University Tozzer Library

Architect

Kennedy & Violich Architecture LTD
Boston, Massachusetts

General Contractor

Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
Milford, Massachusetts

Copper Manufacturer

Revere Copper Products
Rome, New York

When it came time to renovate and expand the Harvard University Tozzer Library, 20-ounce copper was chosen for the roof because of its durability, malleability and workability. With its unique shape and random panel widths, a standard roof wouldn’t work. The project consisted of double-lock, standing-seam copper panels on the third and fourth floor vertical walls and mansard roof. Flat-lock panels on the upper flat roof were also installed. A critical design element was to have the vertical seams of the standing seam panels on the third and fourth floors line up with the windows on the third floor. Because of the construction sequencing, the copper on the fourth floor needed to be installed first. Particular attention to detail was needed to ensure that all the panels would line up when the third floor was installed at a later date. Another design element was to have the seams line up at the hips where two different pitched roofs came together. This again resulted in custom panel widths to achieve the desired look. The copper panels were built over a highly-insulated thermal enclosure for the roof, with waterproofing incorporated into the design. In addition to the standing seam and flat seam roofing, the contractor installed gutter troughs, through-wall flashings, parapets, copings and copper snow guards.

Architectural Category: Standing Seam Roofs and Walls