The Mechanical and Electrical Building offers an opportunity to try out plaster casting
The Mechanical and Electrical Shops (building 12), built in 1920, served as part of the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital West Campus (then known as the Government Hospital for the Insane). It is of interest architecturally as a unique example of an early reinforced concrete structure that exemplifies the architectural design of industrial buildings during the first half of the 20th Century. It was demolished in 2009. [1]
This building is of interest to model railroaders of the 20th Century in part to its modular nature. It could be selectively compressed, or even enlarged, without destroying the architectural qualities of the building. It would also be an opportunity to work with mold-making, since the repetitive architectural patterns lend themselves to multiple plaster cast reproductions assembled together after casting.
This building was recorded as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey, a project of the National Park Service. The plans were delineated by Andrew Burian and Nisha Roy of Mills & Schnoering Architects. More information can be found in the Library of Congress, HABS survey DC-349-BG