Adapting New Technology to Historic Properties
Bob Berle shows Bob Vila the bowels of the home and points out the decay that was prevalent but currently under repair. The 35,000 square foot basement was open to the elements prior to the Berles’ arrival and during the winter was buried in four feet of snow. Deep in the past a small town atmosphere existed in the basement, with a launderer, a butcher, and a baker to serve the Vanderbilts and their guests. At one point in time, over 120 people were seasonally employed by the house to maintain the grounds and serve the guests. Due to years of neglect and changing expectations, the entire communications and electrical systems in the house needed to be replaced using suspended channels for low voltage and commercial pipes for high voltage wiring. Even with the home’s immense size residential heating systems will be employed using nine boilers, which allow for individual zones for every one of the 109 rooms. To prevent fire, the boiler room is practically airtight and the boiler’s heating elements are vented directly outdoors, with an electronically controlled air induction system
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