University of Vermont HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM HP 203 Conservation Techniques for Historic Structures 1999 syllabus

Prof. Thomas Visser email link ........Jump down to course schedule for: January, February, March, April

• The goal of this course is to provide an overview of architectural conservation through an examination of the historic uses and physical properties of common historic building materials and finishes, their deterioration mechanisms, and strategies for conservation and rehabilitation. It recognizes that the professional preservationist must have a broad understanding of basic analytical and research skills including a knowledge of the history of construction techniques, the ability to date components of historic structures and to assess their significance and condition, and the ability to collect, present, and critically review findings and recommendations for conservation treatments.
• This architectural conservation course is designed to provide a background for preservationists who will be working with architects, engineers, trades people, contractors, conservators, property owners, and other preservation professionals. The course is also intended to help prepare students for professional positions that require the review of conservation treatment proposals, architectural designs, and preservation grant applications.
• Students must arrange access to the Internet since some required readings are only accessible through the course web site. The Historic Preservation Program's computers in Wheeler 106 and 103 are reserved primarily for HP 203 course work. All student printouts from the printer in Wheeler 103 cost 10¢ per page. Prints may also be made at the computer labs at the Waterman Building or at the UVM Library.
• Since we have a very large amount of information to cover, the reading assignments are a very important part of the course.
• A bibliography of additional course references is listed below. These may be very useful when preparing the assignments. Students are strongly encouraged to assemble files on various conservation topics with photocopies of articles from such publications as the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) Bulletin and other sources.
• All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified in the class schedule. Late assignments will automatically drop at least one half letter grade per week unless excused in advance for reasons beyond a student's control.
• All written submissions should reflect a professional level of standards, being well-organized, prepared on a word processor, spell-checked, and proof-read. Grades will be reduced if professional writing standards are not met. Please allow sufficient type for proof reading and correcting errors.
• There will be no incomplete course grades except with the Graduate Dean's approval.
• Eye protection is required for all lab work. Clothing protection is recommended.
• Students should gather or acquire the items listed below for their Architectural Conservation Field Kits. Most of this equipment will be used for conducting the course assignments.
• Texts (Available at UVM Bookstore)
  Required: Fram, Mark. Well-preserved, Erin, Ontario: Boston Post Mills, 1988. (Fram)
  Required: Various Internet web sites listed below.
• Recommended: Caring for Your Historic House, Heritage Preservation/ National Park Service. Abrams, 1998.
• Additional recommended readings and references are listed below.

Schedule

The lecture portion of the class meets on Wednesdays from 2 PM to 5 PM in Wheeler 101.

The staffed lab period will be Thursdays from 2 PM to 8 PM in Wheeler 106.

1999	Topics	Assignments Due
1/20	Course Introduction Overview of course syllabus and web site Preservation philosophies and standards Conservation science Field kits, lab protocols, info resources, computers Use of the video microscope Capturing microscope images on the computer
1/21	Laboratory Introduction Hazards and safety protocols MSDS sheets Sampling exercise Basic particle analysis Sieving particles Posting simple reports on the WWW Mortar sampling demonstration Introduce Lab Project 1 (mortar sampling)	Text: (read) Fram: 1 - 63 Conservation activities and principles 64-77 Inspection fault diagnosis, recording, 214-217 The Venice Charter or on the ICOMOS Venice Charter web site WWW sites (read) National Park Service Preservation Briefs Intro PB 35: Understanding Old Buildings PB 17: Architectural Character: Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving Their Character WWW sites (browse and surf) UVM HP Links National Park Service Links to the Past National Register of Historic Places HABS/HAER The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties APT
1/27	Historic masonry construction Mortars: sands, lime, cement, additives The Lime Cycle "Jam jar and vinegar" field analysis technique	PB 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Brick Buildings OHJ: 1-56, 151-166 (recommended)   WWW sites (read) HP 203 Mortar Analysis Case Study: Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury, VT   Mortar Types and Applications Table
1/28	Lab: Basic mortar analysis Mortar characterization lab analysis Mortar analysis report formats Using mortar analysis template Introduce Lab Project 2: Simple Mortar Analysis	Bring Field Kit Eye protection is required. Clothing protection is recommended. Mortar Handouts (read for discussion) Due: Lab Project 1 (mortar sampling)
2/3	Brick bonds and mortar joints Repointing techniques and guidelines Appropriate use of cements in mortars Repointing demonstration	English Heritage AC1 Smeaton project on historic mortars durability
2/4	Lab: Producing appropriate mortars Calcimeter analysis for cement Introduce Lab Project 3 (mortar matching)	Bring Field Kit Eye protection is required. Clothing protection is recommended. Due: Lab Project 2 (simple mortar analysis)
2/10	Brick construction Brick making process Brick types and physical properties Adobe	PB 5: Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings Fram: 126-130, 144-147
2/11	Lab: Brick deterioration diagnostics Analyzing and matching bricks Introduce Lab Project 4 (bricks)	Due: Lab Project 3 (mortar matching)
2/17	Masonry construction and conservation Building stones The rock cycle Stone types and physical properties Sources and finishing Cleaning masonry	PB 1: The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings PB 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings Fram: 118-121
2/18	Lab: Conserving stonework Masonry coatings Graffiti management approaches Introduce Lab Project 5 (rising damp)	PB 15: Preservation of Concrete PB 38: Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry   Due: Lab Project 4 (bricks)
2/24	Additional masonry materials Concrete conservation Stuccoes, parging & renders Cast stone Terrazzo Terra cotta Tile	Fram: 131-133 PB 7: Preservation of Terra-cotta PB 22: Preservation & Repair of Stucco PB 30: Clay Tile Roofs PB 40: Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors
2/25	Lab: Terra cotta and parging Stucco and parging analysis and conservation techniques Introduce Lab Project 6 (parging, terrazzo, terra cotta, tile)	Due: Lab Project 5 (rising damp)
3/3	Plaster Flat plaster Ornamental plaster	Fram: 172-175 PB 21: Repairing Flat Plaster PB 23: Preserving Ornamental Plaster
3/4	Lab: Plaster conservation Introduce Lab Project 7 (plaster)	Due: Lab Project 6 (parging, terrazzo, terra cotta, tile)
3/10	Wood conservation Species identification and use Framing and construction Wood deterioration mechanisms Moisture Fungi Insects Wood Protection Preservatives Insecticides	Fram: 116-118, 136-139 ICOMOS International Wood Committee Standards for the Protection of Historic Timber Buildings
3/11	Lab: Wood decay diagnostics & treatments Use of moisture meter for wood
3/17 - 3/18	No class (Spring break)
3/24 - 3/25	No class (HP grad research trips)
3/31	Wood repair and conservation approaches   Patching compounds Epoxy consolidation and filling Solvent-based vs. water-based borates wood Use of traditional carpentry handtools Carpentry repairs Reproducing wooden elements	PB 39: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings PB 26: Repair of Historic Log Buildings PB 34: Composition Ornament WWW: Taking Care of Your Old Barn
4/1	Lab: Wood conservation Introduce Lab Project 8 (wood conservation)	Due: Lab Project 7 (plaster)
4/7	Architectural finishes and fillers Pigments, vehicles, solvents and fillers Putties and caulking compounds Substrates Paint deterioration mechanisms & diagnostic approaches Paint removal Lead based paint hazard mitigation	Fram: 164-167, 176-179, 186-189 PB 28: Painting Historic Interiors
4/8	Lab: Coatings Lab: Paint deterioration diagnostics Moisture meter use Treatments for chronic paint failure   Introduce Lab Project 9 (surface finish identification and replication)	WWW: finishes analysis chart Due: Lab Project 8 (wood conservation)
4/14	Physical properties, surface preparation and application techniques Oil-based coatings Solvent-based coatings Water-based coatings   Introduction to finishes analysis techniques Field sampling techniques	Fram: 148-163, 168-171 Munsell color notation system
4/15	Lab: Finishes analysis Basic microscopy   Introduce Lab Project 10 (finishes analysis)	Due:Lab Project 9 (surface finish identification and replication)
4/21	Paint finishing systems and specifications Advanced computer-assisted videomicroscopy	PB 10: Exterior Paint Problems PB 8: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings PB 37 Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Buildings
4/22	Lab: Color placement Glazes and graining techniques   Introduce Lab Project 11 (paint deterioration survey and treatments)	Due: Lab Project 10 (finishes analysis)
4/28	Windows & doors History Components Deterioration mechanisms Repair and replacement strategies Window surveys	Fram: 79-115, 180-185 PB 9: Repair of Historic Wooden Windows PB 13: Steel Windows PB 33: Stained and Leaded Glass   National Park Service, Secretary of the Interior's Standards Electronic Rehab Course
4/29	Lab: window surveys and conservation techniques Introduce Lab Project 12 (windows)	Due: Lab Project 11 (paint deterioration survey and treatments)
5/5	Lab: window surveys and conservation techniques (part 2)
5/12	Final Exam	Due: Lab project 12 (windows)

Course Field Kits

Each graduate student should acquire (or borrow) the following equipment:

Flashlight
Magnifying glass or loupe (8X)
"X-Acto" knife (large No. 1) and curved blades
or "Proedge" Pro #2 Medium duty knife and Pro #22 blades (available at UVM Bookstore)
Forceps or tweezers
Screwdriver (straight point)
Tape measure (25') or folding rule (8' or 12')
Field notebook (bound, grid ruled)
Polyethylene bags (Ziplock type) for samples
Transparent tape
Indelible marking pen
Safety glasses are required for all lab work. These available are at the UVM Bookstore.
Disposable dust masks or respirator
Disposal gloves
Field and lab clothing (Lab coats are recommended for lab work. These are available from the UVM Medical Bookstore in the Given Building complex.)
Pack or shoulder bag is recommended

35 mm camera, preferably a SLR with wide angle lens (28 mm or 35 mm), flash, and/ or tripod, close-up lenses or macro lens for copystand work.
Film - (Kodachrome 64 and 200 are good multipurpose slide films that are relatively archivally stable, but they must be sent to Kodalux for processing. This can take over a week. Ektachrome or Fujichrome slide films can be processed locally in several hours, however they may be less archivally stable. Kodacolor 200 or Fujicolor 200 are good multipurpose color print films. Use Ektachrome 160 or Kodachrome 40 (Kodalux processing only) for color slide copy stand work since they are color balanced for tungsten light. Otherwise under incandescent light use a 40A (blue) filter with daylight films.

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Course References
(Most are available at UVM Library or "on reserve" from Prof. Visser or "on reserve" in Wheeler 103)
Periodicals
Bulletin, Association for Preservation Technology (At UVM Library, v 1 - v. 8 in Microforms, v. 9 - current issues in Periodicals)
Traditional Building
Old House Journal
Books
A Guide to Vermont Architecture. Montpelier: Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, 1991.
Ashurst, John & Nicola. Practical Building Conservation. New York: Halsted Press, 1988. Vol. 1-5.
Feilden, Bernard. Conservation of Historic Buildings. London: Butterworth, 1982.
Harris, Cyril, Ed. Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. New York: McGraw Hill, 1975.
Hoadley, Bruce. Understanding Wood. Newtown, Conn.: Tauton Press, 1980.
McAlester, V. & L. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf 1988.
McKee, Harley. Introduction to Early American Masonry. Washington: National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1973.
Mitchell, Eleanor. Emergency Repairs for Historic Buildings. London: English Heritage, 1988.
Nylander, Richard C. et al. Wallpaper in New England. Boston: SPNEA, 1986.
Phillips, M. W. & Selwyn, J. E. Epoxies for Wood Repairs in Historic Buildings. Washington: US Dept. of Interior, 1978.
Poore, Patricia, ed. The Old-House Journal Guide to Restoration, Dutton, 1992.
Preservation &Conservation. Washington: National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1976.
Recording Historic Structures. Washington: AIA Press, 1988.
Repairing Old and Historic Windows. Washington, DC: Preservation Press, 1992.
Residential Building Systems Inspection. Washington: APT Foundation, 1986.
Respectful Rehabilitation. Washington: National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1982.
Slate Roofs. National Slate Ass'n., 1925. (Reprints from Vermont Structural Slate, Fairhaven, VT)
Structural Assessment. Washington: APT Foundation, 1986.
Technology of Historic American Buildings. Washington: APT Foundation, 1983.
Weaver, Martin. Conserving Buildings. New York: John Wiley, 1993.
Wilson, Forrest. Building Materials Evaluation Handbook. New York: Van Nostrand, 1984.
Other references
A Guide to Vermont Architecture is available through the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation in Montpelier (828-3226) for about $3.00 on request.

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©1999 UVM Historic Preservation Program
Revised 4/28/99
Contacts: Prof. Thomas Visser
histpres@zoo.uvm.edu