HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM

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HP 306 Architectural Conservation I Syllabus

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the study of architectural conservation through an examination of historic uses and physical properties of common historic building materials and finishes. To achieve this we will explore the pathology of building materials to help provide an understanding of their deterioration mechanisms and examine strategies for conservation treatments and rehabilitation.

We recognize that the professional preservationist must have a broad understanding of basic analytical and research skills, including a knowledge of historic construction techniques and the abilities:

• to date components of historic structures and to assess their significance, to identify architectural materials, to assess the condition of architectural elements, to diagnose the causes and mechanisms of deterioration, to collect, present, and critically review findings and,
• to offer professional recommendations for appropriate conservation treatments of historic architectural materials.

Another goal of this architectural conservation course is to provide a background for preservationists who will be working with architects, engineers, building trades workers, contractors, conservators, architectural historians, preservation advocates, grant recipients, developers, property owners, review boards and others.

A final goal of the course is to help prepare students for professional positions in preservation that require the review of conservation treatment proposals, architectural designs, and preservation grant applications. This is the first of a two-part sequence of courses with HP 307 Architectural Conservation II following next semester.

Course Readings

Since we have a large amount of information to cover, the text and web-based reading assignments are very important parts of the course. It is your responsibility to keep up with these assignments. These texts will be used for both HP 306 and HP 307.

Texts (Available at UVM Bookstore)

Weaver, Martin. Conserving Buildings. New York: John Wiley, 1997.

Feilden, Bernard. Conservation of Historic Buildings. London: Architectural Press, 2003.

Web Resources

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings, National Park Service.

Various Internet web sites including the National Park Service Preservation Briefs are listed in the syllabus below. Paper copies of the Preservation Briefs may be ordered through the US Government Printing Office. Information on ordering these briefs is available at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tpscat.htm#briefs.

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.

Assignments and Grades

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 unless excused in advance by permission of the instructor for reasons beyond a student's control. Grades for each of the eleven lab assignments and the two quizzes will be weighed equally. Materials from readings (books and web-based), class lectures and labs will be included in the quizzes.

All written submissions should reflect a professional level of standards, being well-organized, prepared on a computer, spell-checked, proof-read, and bound with a cover. All sources should be properly cited. Grades will be reduced if professional writing standards are not met. Please allow sufficient time for proof reading and correcting errors.

Expectations

Students are expected to attend all classes unless excused by in advance. Cellphones should be turned off during all classes. All writing must be authored directly by each student and all sources of information and ideas that are not common knowledge must be identified through attributions in the text or citations using notes. Plagiarism is not tolerated. For guidance on this see and Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml Please also review the University of Vermont's Code of Academic Integrity at http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf and the UVM Student Handbook at http://www.uvm.edu/~dos/handbook/ There will be no incomplete course grades for HP 306 except with the Graduate College Dean's approval for reasons beyond a student's control.

Laboratory Protocols

Lab safety is of utmost importance. Eye protection is required for all lab work. Clothing protection is recommended for all labs and field assignments. For safety and security reasons, all HP 306 apparatus, chemicals and instruments must be stored in the appropriate places after use. Student samples should remove all their samples after use.

Course Schedule and Assignments

The lecture portion of the class meets on Wednesdays from 12:30 PM to 3:15 PM in Wheeler 101. The lab period will be Thursdays, also starting at 12:30 PM. For the labs, we will meet first in Wheeler 101, except as noted in the schedule below. Most lab assignments will be performed in Wheeler 106 or Wheeler 103. The course graduate teaching assistant will coordinate the use and scheduling of lab facilities, equipment and supplies.

Lab Project Assignment Descriptions

Course Field Kits

Each graduate student should acquire or have access to the following equipment and supplies to assist with course project assignments:

Flashlight
Magnifying glass or loupe (10X)
"X-Acto" knife (large No. 1) and curved blades or equivalent
Tweezers
Screwdriver (straight point)
Tape measure (25') or folding rule (8' or 12')
Field notebook (bound, grid ruled)
One box, sealable small 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

Hardhat (may be borrowed from HP Program if needed)
Field and lab clothing (Lab coats are recommended for lab work. These are available from the UVM Medical Bookstore.)
Pack or shoulder bag is recommended
Digital camera

Course References

(Most are available at UVM Library or "on reserve" in Wheeler 103 or Wheeler 100.)

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.
Fram, Mark. Well-preserved, Erin, Ontario: Boston Post Mills, 1988.
Harris, Cyril, ed. Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. New York: McGraw Hill, 1975.
Harris, Samuel Y. Building Pathology: Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention. Wiley. 2001.
Hoadley, Bruce. Understanding Wood. Newtown, Conn.: Tauton Press, 1980.
Huges, Helen, ed. Layers of Understanding, Setting Standards for Architectural Paint Research, Donhead, 2002.
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.
Wilson, Forrest. Building Materials Evaluation Handbook. New York: Van Nostrand, 1984.