Davidge Hall, built in 1812 and designed by Robert Carey Long, Sr., is the historic cornerstone of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Originally opened as the College of Medicine of Maryland in November 1812, it holds the distinction of being the oldest building in the United States continuously used for medical education. Named after the institution’s first dean, John Beale Davidge, the building remains a vital part of the university at 522 West Lombard Street.
For this project, H&L fabricated 288 custom copper panels, which were then shipped to Baltimore for installation by the Durable Slate team. With nine different panel sizes required, the layout for each was carefully designed to align with the roof’s rafters and arc radius. To minimize material waste, all panels were strategically cut from standard copper sheets.
Given the variation in panel sizes, precise tracking was essential to ensure accurate production and proper quantities for each type. Additionally, the panels were packaged in a specific sequence to align with the installation process, streamlining on-site work.
Collaboration with Durable Slate was crucial to achieving a precise fit, as the panels had to be measured and formed to accommodate the roof’s unique curvature. Fabricating off-site always presents challenges, but through strong teamwork and clear communication, we successfully delivered a seamless installation.
And if you are looking for a second opinion on your project or have a particularly complex issue that needs a fresh eye, we’re here for that too. Tackling tricky challenges in historic building restoration is our specialty, and we welcome the opportunity to provide, and we welcome the opportunity to provide consulting advice, with the same exacting attention to detail we bring to all our commissions.
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