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Present: Larisa Allen, Mark Almeda, Bill Barry, Nicole Benjamin-Ma, Matthew Bronski, Marilyn Fenollosa, Bob Fleming, Matt Formicolia, David Gallagher, Jack Glassman, Ben Haavik, John Paul Huguley, Wendall Kalsow, David Kelman, David King, Meryl Lissack, Ryan Maciej, Doug Manley, Krista McFadden, Henry Moss, Ivan Myjer, Ellen Promise, Elizabeth Randall, Deane Rykerson, Susan Schur, Malcolm Smiley, Jonathan Smith, Kelly Streeter, Natalie Wampler, Eric Ward, Sara Wermiel This month, several members presented "Works in Progress." 1. Wendall Kalsow - Cast stone failure at Gasson Hall Boston College: Wendall described the renovation work his firm is doing on Gasson Hall at Boston College, a classroom building built 1909-13 in a Collegiate Gothic style (Maginnis & Walsh, architects). The façade of the building is made of Roxbury puddingstone trimmed with granite and cast stone. The cast stone, called "Economy Stone," had been failing, falling off in chunks; moreover, the color also had changed over time and become dark. A comprehensive examination, including a survey of the façade conducted by Vertical Access, revealed that essentially all of the cast stone was in some stage of deterioration. The binder part at the surface was flaking off and with it the both the original finish and the skin that protected the interior of the blocks. This loss allowed water penetration and also exposed the dark aggregate, a fine black stone, which made the building darker. Wendall concluded that the cast stone could not be stabilized and had to be replaced. Bill Barry asked Wendall if he had considered using stone rather than cast stone, since practically all the material will be replaced. Wendall said he recommended using cast stone again, since that had been the original material. The new cast stone is being made by BPDL (Béton Préfabriqué) in Alma, Quebec; the company will make molded stone as well as the main blocks. 2. Natalie Wampler (with support from Bill Barry and David Gallagher) - Mount Auburn Cemetery Preservation Initiative: Founded in 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge is a National Historic Landmark. Its 175 acres contain over 300 tombs and mausoleums, 44,000 monuments, as well as a variety of landscape structures, such as lot curbing and fences. But a complete survey of these resources, their condition and maintenance needs, had never been done. This is the task of the current Preservation Initiative at Mount Auburn Cemetery, on which Natalie is working. An inventory of resources has been completed, and a survey of repair needs in underway. The first priority is to repair and maintain lots that are under perpetual care or pose safety concerns. Mount Auburn's 2007 task force, a committee evaluating preservation approaches to coordinate landscape and monument conservation and maintenance efforts, proposed a series of work areas where horticulture and sculptural assemblages can be managed in important viewsheds. In answer to a question about Mount Auburn's connection with other rural cemeteries, Natalie said that Mount Auburn Cemetery belongs to a historic rural cemeteries group, which includes Laurel Hill in Philadelphia, Green-Wood in Brooklyn, and others. 3. Ivan Myjer - Discussion of current issues in the realm of stone preservation methods: Ivan discussed the problem of marble conservation and a new system that has been introduced in Europe, which is designed to slow the deteriorating effects of air pollution on stone. He noted that although concern about acid rain has decreased, and indeed sulfur dioxide in the air is much reduced, air continues to be very acid. Susan Schur pointed out that pollution doesn't respect national boundaries; so however much the U.S. controls emissions, the country is subject to pollution blowing in from China and other places. Thus, stone continues to deteriorate. Lenox Library in New York City is seeking a way to retard the deterioration of the building's marble exterior, and the group hired to lead the preservation effort wants to try the new process. It converts the top layer of the stone into calcium oxalate, which will make it less soluble in an acid environment. The process reportedly has been used in Italy with success, but would it work in the U.S.? Essentially the process involves making a chemical paste (there is no commercial version, it must be handmade) and applying it to the stone; it remains in place for almost a day. The calcium carbonate on the surface of the marble or limestone is converted to calcium oxalate. This creates a new crust. The process is not a consolidant; it's not designed to make the stone stronger. Moreover, the stone retains its porosity. Ivan has reservations about the process, because the treatment permanently changes the stone. He feels the idea is promising but should be tested in the U.S. before it is used in a live situation. 4. American College of the Building Arts, Charleston, S.C.: John Paul Huguley, former president, and Bob Fleming, a trustee, of this college were in town for the Traditional Building exhibition, and came to the HRC meeting to introduce their school. John Paul explained that the school, started about 10 years ago, has the mission of training building artisans, and encouraging preservation and understanding of the world's architectural heritage. He has worked in England with Alan Baxter, who started the Prince of Wales program, then decided to set up a training school in the U.S. With a grant from the Department of Labor, he was able to get a school started, in Charleston, S.C. The school is now a 4-year bachelor's degree-granting college, which gives prospective donors and students assurance that it's a serious and permanent endeavor. About 70 students are enrolled; the school expects to have places for 160. Students work all year long. Here is a link to the college's website: http://buildingartscollege.us/01_college/index.html The college asks for help in getting the word out about the school to prospective students. There is a partnership with a conservation school in France and also collaboration with Clemson University. The school is also interested in increasing its partnerships and alliances with firms specializing in historic preservation in Boston. At present, they have numerous patrons and donors in New York, but relatively few in Boston. 8: 00 a.m., Thursday, 10 April 2008 Featuring Arthur MacLeod, Brick Growth in the Fuller Memorial Bell Tower The Architects' Building, 52 Broad Street, Boston Henry Moss, Matthew Bronski, and Sara Wermiel co-leaders and scribes
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