Bruce S. Kaskel

Experience

Since joining WJE in 1985, Bruce Kaskel has investigated and designed repairs for distress conditions in existing buildings. He has expertise in exterior wall systems related to glass, glazing, water infiltration, corrosion, structural adequacy, energy performance, anchorage devices, and durability. Mr. Kaskel's projects include aluminum and glass curtain walls, metal panels, exterior windows and doors, masonry, precast concrete, and stone. He has provided exterior wall consulting services during design and construction of new buildings, including serving as the building envelope commissioning (BECx) agent.

Mr. Kaskel has authored papers on exterior facade materials, glass and facade testing, the history of glazing systems, facade renovations, and structural failures of walls. He has presented seminars on aluminum and glass curtain walls, exterior wall systems design and repairs, and lessons learned from cladding failures. Mr. Kaskel has guest lectured at Purdue University, the University of Illinois, and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Curtain Walls and Windows

• U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel - Colorado Springs, CO: Design of aluminum and glass recladding repairs to correct water leaks
• Hyatt Regency New Orleans - LA: Investigation of Hurricane Katrina damage and design of repairs
• Daley Center - Chicago, IL: Investigation of weathering steel and glass facade
• AT&T Tower - Minneapolis, MN: Exterior curtain wall consultant for new high-rise office building
• Pacific Park Plaza - Emeryville, CA: Over-cladding thirty-story condominium building with aluminum rain screen panels
• World Financial Center - New York City, NY: Survey of damage to facade after 9/11

 

Exterior Wall Systems

• University of Iowa Children’s Hospital - Iowa City: BECx agent on exterior envelope
• Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center - OH: Owner’s consultant for exterior envelope design review and site observations
• MD Anderson Cancer Center - Houston, TX: Exterior wall consulting for new hospital and science research buildings
• Harold Washington Library Center - Chicago, IL: Exterior wall consultant for new masonry and curtain wall cladding
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Philadelphia, PA: Investigation of masonry cladding failure

 

Glass Performance

• CNA Building - Chicago, IL: Investigation of glass breakage; testing of applied film repairs
• Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts - St. Louis, MO: Investigation of thermal stress glass breakage
• Yale Center for British Art - New Haven, CT: Failure of insulating glass units and design of replacement units
• International Hotel Chain - U.S. and Canada: Survey of one hundred hotel properties for glass safety conditions

 

Water/Air Leakage Assessment

• Westin Hotel - Chicago, IL: Plaza water leakage investigation and design of repairs
• St. Mary Medical Office Building - Lewiston, ME: Water leakage through thin veneer brick
• Vehicle Assembly Building - Cape Kennedy, FL: Assessment of 500-foot-tall assembly bay doors
• Eisenhower Executive Office Building - Washington, D.C.: Design of replacement skylights
• Myrtue Medical Center Natatorium - Harlan, IA: Spray foam repair of facade to correct condensation leakage

Professional Affiliations

ASTM International, 2013 Fellow
Insulating Glass Certification Council,  Board of Governors
Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, past president

Registrations

Architect in  IL and WI
LEED Accredited Professional
Structural Engineer in IL

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science, Architectural Studies, 1979

University of Illinois Chicago
Master of Architecture, Structures Option, 1982