JRS Architect completes restoration of nine damaged residential buildings; Coastal neighborhoods flooded by hurricane sandy

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, JRS Architect, P.C., was enlisted to lead remediation efforts for nine severely damaged residential buildings. The buildings addresses were not disclosed. Located in coastal neighborhoods, all the buildings had experienced flooding, with up to five feet of water in ground levels. Flooding had damaged utility services, compromised walls, ruined finishes, undermined concrete slabs and destroyed pipes and sewer lines. Following the emergency relocation of tenants, the JRS Architect team initiated a strategy for both structural and non-structural repairs in-kind. The team retained zoning law consultants to expedite filings with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and brought on structural engineers to deal with the consequences of damaged concrete slabs. To speed the process, demolition drawings were filed first with construction documents generated by our architects to follow. The work focused on ground level apartment units, parking, storage areas and replacement of floor slabs and mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment. Investigations have been conducted into other storm damages, carried out interior demolition of apartments and the installation of new drywall, bathrooms, kitchens, flooring and ceilings. Every disaster creates unique challenges and Sandy has posed some of the most complex examples. One illustration has been the need to meet new flood standards for rebuilding without violating current, often inconsistently applied, zoning codes. The new standards require strict compliance and are predicated on the most recent flood mapping data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the properties being brought back to life, JRS continues to coordinate the team's activities with FEMA regulators and the DOB to design restorations that will enhance life safety and protect our client's buildings against the impact of future storms.