Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel: Mocking-Up the Reclad Design of an Icon (2020 Convention)

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel—an iconic and landmarked structure—has experienced water leakage since it was built in 1963. The unique skin on the repeating tetrahedrons is sloped, with exterior water drainage and management behavior somewhere between a wall and a roof. This study will review the existing detailing conditions resulting in water leakage. A reclad design was developed to incorporate a new weather-resistant panel backup wall and inboard metal cladding panels matching the existing historical appearance. The building science principles governing the design development are examined. To evaluate the design, a laboratory mock-up was constructed and performance tested. Challenges related to acquiring and constructing the custom repair design skin assemblies for a full-scale laboratory mock-up will be reviewed. Performance testing of the design included rounds of air, water, thermal, and structural load testing. Lessons learned from the performance testing and the resulting design modifications will be presented.

William O’Brien, Jr., REWC

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

William O’Brien has performed façade assessments, investigations (including leakage, condensation, stack effect, and failure), repair design, and enclosure commissioning and consulting. These projects primarily include glass curtainwalls and windows, metal panel, masonry, and precast concrete systems on various structures—from hospitals to high-rises. His research publications from Pennsylvania State University were dedicated to advancing understanding of the seismic performance of glass curtainwalls and storefronts. He has also authored papers on condensation control from air transport in cold climates.

Bruce Kaskel

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Since joining WJE in 1985, Bruce Kaskel has investigated and designed repairs for distress conditions in existing buildings. He has authored papers on exterior façade materials, glass and façade testing, the history of glazing systems, and structural failures of walls. He has presented seminars on aluminum and glass curtainwalls, exterior wall systems design and repairs, and lessons learned from cladding failures. Kaskel has guest lectured at Purdue University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He led WJE’s design effort on the recladding of the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel as part of the AECOM team starting in 2015. The project is now under construction with anticipated completion in 2021.