VCU SCOTT HOUSE Window Restoration

by Gepetto Millworks | Jun 9, 2024 | Architectural Millwork, Historic Restoration, Project Spotlight, Virginia, Wooden Windows

SCOTT House on VCU Campus

Window Restoration

Beaux Arts style Window Restoration

Authentic Craftsmanship

THE SCOTT HOUSE is one of Richmond’s most significant examples of American Renaissance architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was completed in 1911 and acquired by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2001. The 18,000 sf mansion was built for Frederic William Scott and his wife Elizabeth Strother Scott. It was modeled after the Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island, which referenced the Petit Trianon at Versailles. Interior plasterwork is attributed to prominent sculptor and plaster contractor, Ferruccio Legnaioli.

VCU commissioned Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&H) to provide a feasibility study to assess existing conditions, programming, and conceptual design. Subsequently, G&H was selected to provide a historically-sensitive rehabilitation to allow the building to serve as meeting and event space for visiting and University groups.

Goals for rehabilitation the Scott House included restoration of the exterior masonry and windows supplied by Gepetto Millworks Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems were upgraded to modern standards. New restrooms, and conversions to office space and meeting rooms became part of the plans to serve the University Campus. While the rehabilitation will serve a variety of modern programmatic functions, the building’s historic fabric was restored in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the University’s preservation philosophy for historic buildings.

Historic preservation seeks to find effective and artful ways of maintaining and reusing significant buildings, landscapes, and communities. Central to the discipline is the attempt to preserve cultural identity in the face of the threats of urban sprawl and loss of social diversity.

Maintain, protect, and repair authentic character defining features, materials, and finishes. If features are deteriorated beyond repair, replace them in-kind. Retain authentic historic building fabric to the maximum extent possible.

Historic building restoration respects the evolution of historic changes, fashion, taste, and use – do not try to “improve” the design of authentic building features.

Avoid installation of conjectural “historic” features.

Do not use maintenance methods or materials that damage significant building and landscape fabric.

Authentic Window Restoration Richmond

Richmond VA Authentic Historic Window Restoration

Scott House was built in 1907, and is a three-story, 40,950 square foot, Beaux Arts style mansion. The house is seven bays wide and is faced with a pale Indiana limestone. It features a central portico of four, giant Corinthian order columns and two Corinthian pilasters that dominate the highly formal, symmetrical entrance façade. Elizabeth and Frederic Scott bought the property from Lewis Ginter in 1903, Elisabeth Scott Bocock, moved into the house in the mid 20th century. While there, she founded the Historic Richmond Foundation, the 2300 Club, and the Hand Workshop (now known as the Visual Arts Center of Richmond). In the 1960s, the house was subdivided and used as dorms for VCU students, which continued into the 90s. A renovation in 2004 led to the Scott House opening its doors to the public, and the designation of the building as a Virginia Historic Landmark.

The historic Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island was chosen as inspiration for the Richmond structure, which was itself modeled after the Petit Trianon in Versailles. It stands proudly removed from West Franklin, an exception to the block’s density. The stately house, a handsome combination of limestone and terra cotta, is grounded by green-tiled wrapping terraces and a porte-cochére, shaded by trees in the house’s garden. Oxidized copper and careful cast iron work beautifully balance the gravity of the building’s exterior. Oversized fluted columns with Corinthian capitals give the mansion a sense of monumentality. The interior is a classic example of the American Renaissance style, originating in the 18th century. The occupant moves through the symmetrically divided rooms with no hallways on the first floor, structured around a main entrance stair which lies under a magnificent stained glass dome. Servants’ quarters are to the rear of the building, and a large English style carriage house is hidden behind the mansion. The Anderson Gallery, constructed in 1888 from the former Ginter House stables, also stands behind the Scott-Bocock House. The splendor of the structure is a reminder of Richmond’s insurance and banking glory days in the early 20th century, when it was an indulgent capital of the South.

Authentic Historic Window Restoration Virginia

Virginia Window Restorers

Historic Replica Windows Made to Order

Southeast US Window Rehabilitation

Wooden Window Fabrication

Accoya Approved Manufacturer VA

by Gepetto Millworks | Apr 21, 2024 | Custom Millwork, Wooden Shutters, Wooden Windows

Accoya Approved Manufacturer

We have been using Accoya Acetylated wood for exterior applications since it’s introduction into the United States market in 2012.

Acetylated wood stands truer and weather’s better – read the acdemic articles below to start your education for specifiying the ‘foundation’ of your project.

Accoya Now American Made

“We are excited to be a part of the Kingsport community ,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA.

“Our cutting-edge building will enhance capacity, create local jobs, and foster community. We are also eager to work with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to become a preferred employer in the region as production begins.”

Virginia Expert Manufacture

Matt Wiley has been building with Accoya Acetylated Wood for over 10 years!

High quality one of a kind builds made in Virginia.

Specify Accoya

“Acetylated lumber wins accolades for its performance and small environmental footprint” ~ Green Building Advisor

Unlike most pressure-treated wood, acetylated lumber doesn’t contain any copper or biocides that can leach into the environment over time. The treatment renders the wood harder, more dimensionally stable and immune to insects. Accoya lasts for 50 years above grade, 25 years in contact with the ground or submerged in fresh water, and has a service life of 70 years, according to its manufacturer.

Build From the Foundation

You understand the metaphor if you’re a builder. We are limited in our ability to deliver a ‘straight’ product, by straight lumber! In order to deliver your dream piece, we need quality lumber that will not warp or twist and it is becoming harder to source. Just like you wouldn’t want your foundation to be 1/8th out of square, we don’t want our raw materials to move 1/8th of an inch after they are machined to size.

Accoya Acetylated Wood Manufacturer Virginia

Acetylation BY ROGER M. ROWELL ~ 4 SEPTEMBER 2006

The Vikings burned the outside of their ships to make them water resistant and flame retardant without knowing anything about hydrophobicity or the insulating properties of char!

Long before we had formal wood science, we had a long history of observations on the properties and performance of wood. It was well known that wood swelled and shrunk with water, that wood decayed, that wood burned, and that wood was degraded by the sun. People took advantage of the positive properties and also learned to design around wood’s weaknesses. As we started to understand the properties and performance of wood, we discovered that the properties of wood are, for the most part, a result of the chemistry of its cell wall components.

Combining all of the art and science of wood recorded from ancient times to the present, we have discovered that if you change the chemistry of wood, you change its properties and, therefore, you change its performance.

From this foundation, the science of chemical modification of wood was born. We first learn by observation, progress by experimentation, and finally advance through understanding. We learned to use wood, accepting that it changes dimensions with changing moisture content (MC),

Chemical modification of wood can be defined as a process of bonding a reactive simple chemical to a reactive part of a cell wall polymer, with or without catalyst,
to form a covalent bond between the two. Chemical modification of wood has historically been used to:
1) isolate various cell wall components;
2) study differences in properties as a result of changing the chemistry;
3) improve the performance properties of wood.

Many chemical reaction systems have been published for the modification of wood and the systems have been reviewed in the literature. The chemicals include anhydrides, acid chlorides, ketene carboxylic acids, isocyanates, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, difunctional aldehydes, chloral, phthaldehydic acid, and epoxides .

None of the studies of the chemical modification of wood and other lignocellulosic resources have gone past the research stage, except acetylation.

Read Full Article

“Our sales in North America increased by 44% between fiscal years 2021 and 2022, and we continue to see strong demand for Accoya,” said John Alexander, group sales director. “Once operational, our Accoya 2022 production volumes will be doubled at the Kingsport site.”

The Kingsport facility, which will be operational in early 2024, will provide the North American market, while the Netherlands plant will supply the rest of the world. The American reactors are now on their way from Europe and will arrive in Kingsport in January 2023.

“We are excited to be a part of the Kingsport community and watch the development of the US facility,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA. “Our cutting-edge building materials will enhance capacity, create local jobs, and foster community. We are also eager to work with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to become a preferred employer in the region as production begins.”

North America Expansion : Wood & Panel

Historic Wooden WIndows Pressure TEsted Performance

Accoya Acetylated Project Gallery

Historic Look

Smooth Swing bearings and weather durable fittings

Steel Core

Historically Accurate wooden gates

Mated with Steel core elements for the best of both materials.

Historic Detailing

Fully Mortized Spindles on an Arc!

Take a moment and notice all the wonderful details from the matching profile and scale at the gate frame top to the under hinge trim profile.

Building Science Explained:

Custom Wood Turning for Historic Restoration

by Matthew Wiley | Aug 23, 2023 | Custom Millwork

Handmade Turned wood rounds

We hand turn solid wood round pieces for historic restoration projects. That means that we pickup the damaged or worn parts to recreate them in our Charlottesville VA shop.

CUSTOM



REPAIR



HAND
MADE



CALL MATT

If you are searching for unique pieces for historic restoration building – call Matthew to discuss your needs! We can build whatever you need, from whatever time period you are restoring. These hand carved or turned pieces are being delivered to New Kent Virginia

804.938.2094

solid wood round historic hand turning services

Handmade wood turnings made to order by Virginia craftsmen. Whatever your project calls for we will make it to your specifications. First step will be getting ‘shop drawings’ done, completely accurate architectural drawings. From there we just need time!

Watch Them Turn Solid Wood

@gepetto.millworks Matt is making #handturned column bases from solid mahogany today in the shop - if you don’t think that you can find the parts and pieces for your #historicrenovation ♬ original sound - Gepettomillworks

GEPETTO CRAFTSMEN MAKE

Shop Magic

Hand Turned Solid Wood Column Base for Historic Restoration

A Legacy in Woodworking

At the heart of the historic restoration narrative lies Gepetto Millworks, a revered name in the woodworking realm, known for its unrivaled dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Situated in the woodlands of Virginia, Gepetto Millworks boasts a legacy spanning three generations, breathing life into the art of woodturning and historic restoration. Starting with Robert Wiley, now retired, Matt Wiley was trained by the demands of rural western Virginia farm life. Pragmatic attention to planning and time management crucial for farm life made Matt ready to manage a Millwork Shop. Robert’s 40 years of carpentry experience passed on to Matt a wide understanding of the building trades, common problems and historic solutions not readily available on Google or Youtube. Starting in 2022 now the 3rd generation began their apprenticeship under Matt with the understanding that fine wine takes time to mature! Gepetto now operates the shop facility from a nearly hidden hollow of 100 acres of farmland in the historic hills around Charlottesville VA.

The Art of Turning Solid Wood Pieces

The process of turning solid wood pieces is a harmonious blend of skill, precision, and patience. This age-old technique involves placing a wood blank on a lathe and shaping it using various cutting tools while it spins. For historic restoration, this technique offers the ability to recreate ornate profiles and subtle curves that were the hallmarks of architectural decoration in a bygone era where time & labor were less costly. Gepetto runs a very small staff of highly experienced craftsmen, so that projects are completed in a timely manner – and the trade skills and secrets are maintained. If you are seeking a unique piece – don’t worry, we’ve heard of it – and can recreate it accurately!

Column Bases: Echoes of Elegance

Column bases are architectural features that have graced structures for centuries, each reflecting the design trends of their time. In historic restoration, crafting column bases involves not just replicating their appearance but also understanding the construction techniques and materials that were prevalent during the structure’s era. Gepetto Millworks’ mastery shines in meticulously recreating column bases, capturing the very essence of the original design while ensuring structural integrity. We can craft a base from a single piece of solid mahogany so that environmental stressors are less likely to damage the piece. Historic building methods often have pragmatic reasons for their implementation. While we are capable of making a plywood style layered composite, the effective durability of a solid slab of weather durable mahogany is higher than a manufactured material. Architectural millwork encompasses a vast array of components, from intricate cornices to elaborate friezes. In historic restoration, these elements are the pièce de résistance, embodying the grandeur and attention to detail that defined the architecture of yesteryears. The artisans at Gepetto Millworks approach architectural millwork with a profound respect for tradition, using age-old techniques to replicate every fine detail, ensuring an authentic restoration that stands the test of time.

Turned Solid Wood Pieces

Historic restoration is a noble endeavor that bridges the gap between the past and the present, preserving the essence of bygone eras for generations to come. One of the essential elements in such restoration projects is the art of turning solid wood pieces. Gepetto craftsmen are some of the only professional supply options for general contractors, architects and restoration specialists looking to recreate solid wood pieces. Delve into the intricate world of historic restoration construction with us! That world where turned wood components like column bases, balustrades, and newels, meticulously handcrafted on the wood lathes of Gepetto Millworks in Virginia continue to be exemplary producers of timeless craftsmanship that lasts centuries.

The Essence of Historic Restoration

Historic restoration construction involves a delicate balance between honoring the architectural legacy of a structure and ensuring its continued viability for modern use. In this context, turned solid wood pieces play a pivotal role because so many general contractors are not aware of services like Gepetto provides. The general contractor of today does not have an army of skilled woodworkers supplying their job sites any longer as in the historic time periods we are task to restore. You can return to the essence of an era, preserving the stylistic intricacies that defined the architectural preferences of that past time period. These pieces when installed properly continue the irreplaceable charm of the historic building.

Column Bases: Echoes of Elegance

Balustrades and Newels: Stairways to History

Balustrades and newels are often the visual centerpiece of historic buildings centered around the staircase. Adorning staircases with intricate designs that were once the high style elegance in that era. In the meticulous restoration of these components, Gepetto Millworks’ woodturning expertise comes to the fore. Every spindle, rail, and newel is handcrafted with the utmost care, ensuring that the soul of the original design is captured and the handmade nuances remain. What sets Gepetto Millworks apart is not just its remarkable craftsmanship, but its commitment to historical accuracy. The artisans delve deep into architectural records, scrutinizing historical documents and photographs to unravel the design elements of anything lost to the past. This dedication extends to sourcing the right wood species, using traditional joinery methods, and applying authentic finishes, ensuring that each turned wood piece is a faithful representation of its era.

Preservation Through Education

The legacy of historic restoration lives on through education. Gepetto Millworks recognizes the importance of passing on the torch of craftsmanship to the next generation. The woodworking workshops and apprenticeships offered by the millworks provide budding artisans with the opportunity to learn the nuances of turning solid wood pieces, perpetuating a tradition that might otherwise fade away. In the realm of historic restoration construction, turned solid wood pieces embody the essence of eras long past. Gepetto Millworks, nestled in the heart of Virginia, breathes life into this legacy, crafting column bases, architectural millwork, balustrades, and newels that stand as testaments to the artistry of yore. As we gaze upon these masterpieces, we are reminded that the past is not merely history; it is a living, breathing entity that continues to enrich our present and inspire our future.

105-hand-carved-turning-historic-restorations

Contact Gepetto for Bid Information

arched and elliptical window builder Virginia

by Gepetto Millworks | May 13, 2025 | Wooden Shutters | 0 Comments

arched and elliptical window builder Virginia

Bowed Windows Made in Virginia

by Gepetto Millworks | May 13, 2025 | Architectural Millwork, Wooden Windows | 0 Comments

Round, Arc, Gothic Arch, and Bowed Windows Handcrafted in Virginia: When it comes to bespoke architectural woodwork, Gepetto Millworks stands at the pinnacle of craftsmanship in Virginia. Specializing in historically accurate, handcrafted windows, our artisans are...

Historic Building Tax Credits

by Gepetto Millworks | December 19, 2024 | Church Restoration, Historic Restoration, Historic Wood Doors, Old Window Restorer, Virginia, Wooden Shutters, Wooden Windows | 0 Comments

Maximizing Historic Building Tax Credits with Gepetto Millworks’ Authentic Wood Architectural Elements Restoring historic buildings is both a labor of love and a commitment to preserving cultural heritage. While the process is rewarding, it can also be financially...