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Looking Beyond the Surface:
Why Campus-Wide Structural Assessments Matter

By Matt Mowrer, PE,  Associate – O’Donnell & Naccarato

Every campus tells a story. Some buildings speak of innovation—labs where breakthroughs happen; Others hold history—century-old halls where generations have gathered. But no matter their purpose or age, every structure shares one thing in common: they need care. Over the years, I’ve walked dozens of campuses—some humming with student life, others quiet with age. And whether it’s a university, a hospital network, or a public institution, one fact always remains: facility management is more than maintenance. It’s stewardship. That’s where campus-wide structural assessments come in. They’re not just technical exercises. They’re tools that help owners understand their assets—clearly, deeply, and strategically—so they can make decisions today that protect tomorrow.

UPenn campus | Campus-Wide Structural Assessments | O'Donnell & Naccarato

A Clear Picture for Complex Places

Managing a campus means juggling priorities. Which roof leak needs immediate attention? Is that cracked concrete superficial, or a sign of structural concern? Can that 100-year-old building keep up with 21st-century demands? Campus-wide structural assessments bring clarity to these questions. They help owners move from reactive to proactive.

By asking:

  • What is the current condition of each structure?
  • How much will it cost to maintain and repair them over time?
  • What are the risks, and where should resources be allocated first?

These assessments bring structure to intuition. They quantify the known, uncover the unknown, and offer insight that supports long-term planning and investment.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Every campus is different—and so are the reasons for conducting an assessment. Some clients seek a baseline inventory. Others are in the midst of capital planning, budgeting, or buying and selling assets. The most common need? Reliable, data-driven support for short- and long-term financial planning.

That’s why we begin by listening. What’s driving this assessment? What questions are keeping you up at night? Your answers help shape our entire approach—from the tools we use to how we structure our final recommendations.

Laying the Groundwork: Strategy Before Sitework

Before setting foot on campus, we dive into background research. We verify building names and IDs—important when additions, name changes, or undocumented renovations complicate the layout. Campus maps help create a site strategy. Plan rooms, if available, offer a treasure trove: original blueprints, past repair records, inspection reports—anything that helps us understand the life story of each structure.

Understanding each building’s material and structural makeup is crucial. Is it mass masonry or glass curtain wall? Structural steel or reinforced concrete? Each has its vulnerabilities:

steel-framed buildings often suffer from corrosion at relief angles and lintels—especially where water ponds. Stone façades vary in durability: granite may need only a visual review, while sandstone often requires close-up, hands-on inspection due to its tendency to spall.

Knowing these characteristics in advance shapes our inspection strategy—and ensures we focus on the right risks.

Fieldwork: Seeing More Than Meets the Eye

Assessing a large campus is both art and science. We use a phased approach: inspect, document, analyze. This keeps observations fresh and allows for iterative understanding as patterns emerge.

The tools vary:

  • Binoculars and drones allow us to see high facades safely and efficiently.
  • Hands-on access via boom lifts, swing scaffolds, or industrial rope lets us inspect critical details up close—assessing corrosion, plumbness, or hidden deterioration.
  • Destructive testing may be needed to understand unseen damage or determine original construction details.
  • Lab testing helps when specific materials need further analysis.

The goal is to spot subtle but meaningful signs: rusting steel, cracking mortar, spalling stone. Water intrusion is one of the most common and damaging themes. And behind that? Deferred maintenance—a challenge nearly every institution faces.

When Safety Is on the Line

Sometimes, we find something that can’t wait: a loose piece of stone, a heavily deteriorated lintel, a failing cornice. In those cases, we act immediately—alerting the client and recommending emergency stabilization to protect people on the ground. Even outside of emergencies, identifying patterns—water intrusion, aging façades, problematic design details—can prevent future failures and allow resources to be used more effectively.

From Data to Decisions

A technical report is only as valuable as the clarity it provides. That’s why we tailor each deliverable to the client’s goals. Whether it’s organized by building, priority, or fiscal year, the format should empower—not overwhelm.

We also group repairs strategically. Why access the same elevation multiple times if repairs can be bundled to minimize disruption and reduce cost? Access is often the largest single expense in a repair program—so planning with efficiency in mind can make a major financial impact.

Ultimately, clients want to know:

  • How much will this cost?
  • What repairs are urgent?
  • How should we phase the work over 5–10 years?

That’s the clarity we strive to deliver.

Planning for the Road Ahead

No building waits for the perfect time to need repairs. Budgets shift. Priorities change. That’s why we recommend reassessment cycles:

  • Every 2 years for vulnerable or deteriorating structures
  • Every 5 years for more stable systems
Missing brick and mortar from wall | Campus-Wide Structural Assessments | O'Donnell & Naccarato

In the interim, temporary repairs—protective coatings, netting, or sealants—can slow deterioration and buy time when full repairs aren’t immediately feasible.

Most importantly, we educate clients on how deterioration progresses. For example, freeze-thaw cycles can accelerate damage exponentially. Understanding those mechanisms helps clients prioritize repairs and mitigate risk.

More Than a Report—A Foundation

A campus-wide assessment isn’t just about buildings. It’s about people—students, faculty, staff, patients—and the environments they rely on every day. When done right, an assessment helps you invest wisely, protect your community, and extend the life of your campus.

If you’re wondering whether a campus-wide structural assessment could help your institution, I’d welcome the opportunity to talk. The first step in protecting your buildings isn’t always a repair. Sometimes, it’s simply understanding where you stand.