The Oriental Institute is a research organization and museum devoted to the study of the ancient Near East, founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted. Today the institute is a museum on the University of Chicago campus, and was completed by Mayers, Murray & Phillip Architects in 1931.

The exterior of the building is solid brick masonry construction with an ashlar limestone veneer constructed in a Gothic Revival style. Window and door openings on all elevations have vertical and horizontal limestone mullions. Large arched windows are present on the west and south elevations. The building frame consists mainly of steel construction.

ZS was retained by the University of Chicago to provide Professional Design Services and to issue construction bid documents for rehabilitation/historic restoration of exterior wall elements. All of the work was performed while the buildings were occupied and functional.

The Scope of the Project Included:

• 100% tuckpointing.
• Window perimeter sealant replacement.
• Replacement of damaged limestone units including: window lintels, ashalrs, window mullions and transom jamb units.
• Rebuild all damaged gable end walls and wing walls.
• Historic restoration of direct set windows.