Ken -
It seems fitting that, lacking expertise in any of the relevant areas - historical instruments; construction; physical or biological impacts of impacts/vibration - I should wade right in. You are concerned about the effects of contruction vibration on the instruments. You say you're not personally concerned for your own health, but is that based on data, either health-wise or structurally?
You say they're installing a seismograph in your space, but what are they looking for? What would the data mean, potentially?
Interested in actual informed response.
Also, what's the new building to be?
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David Skolnik [RPT]
Hastings-on-Hudson NY
(917) 589-2625
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2026 17:07
From: Kenneth Walkup
Subject: Vibration issues due to construction
Cornell's Center for Historical Keyboards will be getting a new neighbor; a new building is going up starting in a couple of weeks, and I'm being asked for data on how they may fare due to vibration caused by the construction. I'm not very concerned about it, personally, but I thought I'd ask the group if anyone has experience with a similar situation. Anecdotal information seems more likely to be found than any real empirical data.
The new construction will not involve pile driving, they will use an augur instead. There will be a seismograph in our space to monitor vibration, and the group that's doing the job cites other construction they've done in our area in similar close quarters. The new building will have a wall only 12 feet from our exterior wall, and of course these are not modern pianos. Right now there are about a dozen instruments in the space, some of which are replicas but most would be irreplaceable if any serious damage were to happen. Does anyone care to comment?