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HP 306 Architectural Conservation I

Spring 2010

Lecture: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Wheeler 101
Lab: Mondays, 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Delehanty 101 or as noted
Instructor: Prof. Thomas Visser, 207 Wheeler House, Thomas.Visser@uvm.edu
Office hours: Mondays 4:00 to 6:00, Tuesdays 10:00 to 12:00
For appointments or to confirm availability, please contact in advance at Thomas.Visser@uvm.edu
Teaching assistant: Sebastian Renfield

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:

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. The following 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 Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, National Park Service.

Giorgio Torraco, Lectures in Materials Science for Architecural Conservation, Getty Conservation Institute, 2009

Various Internet web sites including the National Park Service Preservation Briefs are listed in the syllabus below.

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 the lab assignments and the quizzes will be weighed as follows:

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 durably 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. All students must complete UVM's online Chemical Safety in the Laboratory and Laboratory Ventilation and Chemical Fume Hoods courses. 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. Storage space for these will be provided in room 100 in Wheeler House.

Course Schedule and Assignments

The lecture portion of the class meets on Tuesdays from 1 PM to 3:30 PM in Wheeler 101. The lab period will be Mondays, also starting at 1 PM. For the labs, we will meet in the various locations noted in the schedule below. The course graduate teaching assistant will assist with coordinating the use and scheduling of lab facilities, equipment and supplies.

For the first set of assignments in the masonry unit, we will divide the class into two teams to make more efficient use of the facilities and equipment.
Blue Team will be students with last names starting with letters A through H.
Red Team will be students with last names starting with letters K through Z.

2010
Topics
Assignments

1/19 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Course Introduction
Overview of course goals, syllabus and web site
Preservation philosophies and standards
Applying scientific methods in conservation
Sampling approaches
Precision and accuracy
Field kits, lab protocols, info resources
 
 
Historic masonry unit
Mortars: sands, lime, cement, additives
"Jam jar and vinegar" field analysis technique
Digital microscopy introduction
Introduce Lab Project 1 (mortar)
Mortar sampling techniques
Basic particle analysis
Sieving particles

1/25 Lab

Delehanty 101

Laboratory Introduction
Hazards and safety protocols
MSDS sheets
 
Red Team
Project 1b (basic mortar analysis)
 
Introduce lab procedure
 
Mortar analysis report format
Using mortar analysis template

 
 
Blue Team
Attendance for the first half hour or so is required for lab safety instruction.
 
The lab project assignment procedure, however, will be done on the following week
 
Both teams due: Completion of UVM's online Chemical Safety in the Laboratory and Laboratory Ventilation and Chemical Fume Hoods courses
Readings:
Weaver, Chapters 1, 2, 3
Feilden, Chapter 1
OSHA Health Hazard definitions
 
Red Team due: Lab Project 1a (mortar sampling)
Bring your mortar samples to the lab in ziplock poly bags.
Bring at least three additional ziplock poly bags
Eye protection is required.
Clothing protection is recommended
 
Download Mortar analysis template (Excel file MortarAnalysisTemplate08.xlt)
 
Bring Field Kit

1/26 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Conserving Historic Masonry
Repointing techniques and guidelines
Appropriate use of cements and hydraulic limes in mortars
Introduction to cleaning masonry and masonry coatings
Producing appropriate mortars
 
The Lime Cycle
 
Weaver, Chapter 5
NPS Standards for Preservation and Guidelines for Preserving Historic Buildings- Masonry
NPS Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings- Masonry
HP 306 Mortar Analysis Case Study: Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury, VT
Mortar Types and Applications Table
 
PB 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Brick Buildings
English Heritage AC1 Smeaton project on historic mortars durability
Sand Web Site

2/1 Lab

Delehanty 101 (blue team)

Wheeler 103 & 106 (red team)

Blue Team
 
Laboratory Introduction
Hazards and safety protocols
MSDS sheets
Project 1b (Basic mortar analysis)
 
Introduce lab procedure
 
Mortar analysis report format
Using mortar analysis template
Red Team
Lab Project 1c (Producing appropriate mortars)

Analyze mortar aggregates in Wheeler 103 microscopy lab

Produce appropriate replacement mortars in Wheeler 106

Blue Team Due: Lab Project 1a (mortar sampling)
Bring your mortar samples to the lab in ziplock poly bags to Delehanty 101.
Bring at least three additional ziplock poly bags
Eye protection is required.
Clothing protection is recommended
 
Download Mortar analysis template (Excel file MortarAnalysisTemplate08.xlt)
 
Bring Field Kit

Red Team
Bring your mortar aggregate samples in ziplock poly bags to Wheeler House.
Eye protection is required. Clothing protection is recommended.

2/2 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Masonry construction and conservation
Building stones
 
The rock cycle
 
Stone types and physical properties
 
Sources and finishing

Making the Point, English Heritage video

Weaver, Chapter 7
Feilden, Chapter 5
WWW sites:
ICOMOS Venice Charter
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
National Park Service, Secretary of the Interior's Standards Electronic Rehab Course
Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings/The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
Parks Canada - Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
APT
 

2/8 Lab

Wheeler 103 & 106

Blue Team (A-H)

Lab Project 1c (Producing appropriate mortars)

Analyze mortar aggregates in Wheeler 103 microscopy lab

Produce appropriate replacement mortars

Lab Project 2 (concrete and terrazzo)

Campus buildings concrete and terrazzo field trip

Blue Team
Bring your mortar aggregate samples in ziplock poly bags.
Eye protection is required.
Clothing protection is recommended.

Wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for campus field trip

2/9 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Concrete
Cast stone
Terrazzo
Cleaning masonry
Feilden, Chapter 7, 11
Weaver, Chapter 6
PB 1: The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings
PB 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings
PB 15: Preservation of Concrete
 
PB 38: Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry
DW Scientists Turn to Bacteria to Clean Europe's Architectural Gems

Conservation and Preservation of Tabby (pdf)

 

2/15 Lab

NO CLASS - PRESIDENT'S DAY

 

2/16 Lecture

Wheeler 101

 
Brick construction
Brick-making process
Brick types and physical properties
Analyzing and matching bricks
Other fired clay products
Tile and terra cotta
Introduce Brick Analysis lab
Project 3
Due: Lab Project 1 Mortar (both teams)

Brick making c. 1850
PB 30: Clay Tile Roofs

PB 40: Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors

PB 7: Preservation of Terra-cotta

PB 5: Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings

2/22 Lab

Wheeler 106

Lab Project 3 (brick analysis)
 

2/23 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Moisture in porous building materials
Temperature, humidity and salts
Rising damp
Detection by observation, moisture meters, data loggers

Due: Lab Project 2 (concrete and terrazzo)

Weaver, Chapter 8

Dew point calculator

3/1 Lab

Wheeler 103

Lab Project 4 (rising damp)
 

3/2 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Plaster
Flat plaster
Ornamental plaster
Stuccoes, parging & renders
Due: Lab Project 3 (brick analysis)
 
Feilden, Chapter 8
PB 21: Repairing Flat Plaster
PB 23: Preserving Ornamental Plaster
PB 22: Preservation & Repair of Stucco
PB 34: Composition Ornament
 
3/8 - 3/13
Spring Recess
No classes

3/15 Lab

Wheeler 106

Lab Project 5 (plaster)
 

3/16 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Quiz 1

Wood

Framing and construction

Wood species identification and use

Due: Lab Project 4 (rising damp)
Weaver, Chapter 4
NPS Standards for Preservation and Guidelines for Preserving Historic Buildings-Wood
ICOMOS International Wood Committee Principles for the Protection of Historic Timber Buildings
PB 39: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings
PB 26: Repair of Historic Log Buildings
Taking Care of Your Old Barn

3/22 Lab

Wheeler 103

Lab: Wood species identification
Introduce Lab Project 6 (wood conservation)
 Wood Handbook - US Forest Products Lab

Wood Identification Study Guide for Forest Technology Students

Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species Native to Tennessee (pdf)

3/23 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Wood deterioration mechanisms
Decay diagnostics & treatments
Moisture
Fungi
Insects
Use of moisture meters for wood

Due: Lab Project 5 (plaster)

Feilden, Chapter 9 & 10

3/29 Lab

Wheeler 106

Lab: Wood repair and conservation project

 

3/30 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Wood conservation, continued
Patching compounds
Epoxy consolidation and filling
Wood protection
Preservatives & insecticides
Solvent-based vs. water-based borate wood preservatives
The Effect of Ethylene Glycol and Sodium Borate Solutions on the Adhesion of Epoxy to White Oak and White Pine Samples.

4/5 Lab

Wheeler 106

Lab: Wood repair and conservation project  

4/6 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Architectural finishes
Paint: What is it?
Physical properties
Pigments, vehicles, solvents
fillers
How is paint made?

Weaver, Chapter 10
PB 28: Painting Historic Interiors

Vermont Lead Safe Program

VHCB Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Program

PB 37 Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Buildings

4/12 Lab

Wheeler 103

Lab: Field sampling and identification techniques
Introduction to finishes analysis techniques
 
 
Basic finishes analysis microscopy
 
Introduce Lab Project 7a (surface finish sampling) &Lab Project 7b (finishes analysis)

Due: Lab Project 6 (wood conservation)

WWW: finishes analysis chart

Bring paint sampling kit with:
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 )
Forceps or tweezers
Field notebook (bound, grid ruled)
Polyethylene bags (Ziplock type) for samples
Transparent tape
Digital camera
 
Dress for outside weather
 

4/13 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Quiz 2
 
Historic paint applications
Color matching notation
Color trends
Exterior color placement
 
Munsell Color System - Wikipedia
EasyRGB Color Matching conversions

4/19 Lab

Wheeler 103

Lab: Finishes analysis using digital microscopy and
UV fluorescence microscopy
 
Due: Lab Project 7a (surface finish sampling)
Architectural Finishes Analysis & UV fluorescence microscopy PPT c

Frank G. Matero; Joel C. Snodgrass, "Understanding Regional Painting Traditions: The New Orleans Exterior Finishes Study" APT Bulletin Vol. 24 No. 1/2 (1992) 35-52 / JSTOR*

Marie Carden, "Use of Ultraviolet Light as an Aid to Pigment Identification" APT Bulletin Vol. 23 No. 3 (1991) / JSTOR*
*(accessible at UVM or via VPN)

4/20 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Paint condition assessments
Paint deterioration mechanisms & diagnostic approaches
 
Introduce Lab Project 8 (paint condition survey and treatments)
 
PB 10: Exterior Paint Problems
PB 8: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings
 

4/26 Lab

Wheeler 103

Lab: Historic finishes site visit/ paint condition diagnostic tour
 

4/27 Lecture

Wheeler 101

Paint finishing systems
surface preparation

application techniques

tools and specifications
Preparation treatments for chronic paint failure
Paint removal
Lead-based paint issues
 
Due: Lab Project 7 (finishes analysis)

5/3 Lab

Wheeler 103

Lab: paint condition survey and treatments - draft reviews
 
 

5/4 Lecture/Lab

Wheeler 106

Glazes and graining techniques
Trompe l'oeil effects
Stenciling
Due: Lab Project 8 (paint condition survey and treatments)

Lab Project Assignment Descriptions

Project
 Assignment description

1a. Mortar sampling

Photograph the mortar on the building before sampling. Note color, texture, and tooling marks. Record this information for inclusion in the mortar project report submitted at the conclusion of part c. Remove three samples of the same type of mortar from separate nearby locations, each between 5 and 10 grams, (about the size of a thumbnail or a pat of butter). Place each sample in a separate sealable poly bag and label with the following information: your name, sample number, building name, building location, sample location, date of sampling. Bring your samples to the lab for part b.

1b. Basic mortar analysis

Perform a basic mortar analysis on two samples from your building. Save your third sample for future reference. Determine the proportions of aggregate, binder and fines by weight.

Analyze the aggregate through microscopic analysis and sieving. Record the results of your analysis for a professional report submitted along with part c with text, graphs and images that characterize the mortars with sufficient detail to enable a mason to duplicate the samples. The particle size distribution of the aggregate should be presented as a graph.
Link to procedure.

Download mortar analysis template Excel file.

Link to mortar analysis case study example.

1c. Producing appropriate mortars Based on your analysis from lab part b, reproduce a mortar that matches your remaining mortar sample from part a and has a hardness appropriate for the location conditions of the sample. Present an illustrated bound written report that summarizes your findings from part b and part c. Include a discussion of the existing conditions and characteristics of the mortar, describe the procedures and observations made through your analysis. Mention any considerations that should be observed by anyone planning to produce appropriate matching mortars for the building area sampled. Submit both an original sample and your cured reproduced mortar in labeled sealed poly bags attached to the report.

2. Concrete, terrazzo

Select an area of concrete or terrazzo in a UVM building or other suitable building or structure.
Document its composition and condition. Provide treatment recommendations for its maintenance and conservation. Submit your findings in a written report with illustrations.
3. Bricks Select two bricks for analysis from the collection provided. Analyze the bricks and report your findings with sufficient detail so that similar bricks could be procured that match the color range, surface texture, size, and surface absorbency.
4. Moisture, humidity, and rising damp Survey an interior exposed masonry surface of at least 30 square feet in Wheeler House or other historic campus building. Record the temperature of the surfaces using an infrared thermometer and the temperature and relative humidity of the air using a psychrometer. Record the fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity in the space over a 24 hour period using a digital data logger. Download this information and convert it into an Excel file that can be analyzed and included in your report. Survey the surface area visually and note evidence of rising damp or condensation. Record your findings on a grid map elevation of the area. Survey the relative subsurface moisture levels of the area with an RF moisture meter. Record your findings on a second grid map elevation of the area. Diagnose and report the sources of any rising damp or condensing moisture. Present your findings in a short professional report with separate grid map overlays for the visual evidence and for the subsurface moisture meter findings.
 5. Plaster and parging Select an area of flat or ornamental plaster or parging in or on a UVM building or other suitable building.
Assess and document its condition. Provide treatment recommendations for its maintenance and conservation. Submit your findings in a written report with illustrations.
 6. Wood Assess the condition of the sample of deteriorated wood, including a determination of its moisture content and whether there is any evidence of deterioration from fungal or insect activity. After preparing an area for treatment, use appropriate consolidants and fillers to conserve a section of deteriorated wood. Leave some of the sample untreated for comparison. The work should be smoothed and primed so that it is ready for finish painting. Submit your conserved sample with a conservation treatment report that documents the initial conditions and the treatments and materials that were applied.
 7a. Paint sampling Select an historic building with some historic finishes in fair condition. Obtain permission from the owner to take several small paint samples in obscure areas. Remove two paint samples from different locations, each between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch square. Be sure the samples go entirely to the substrate. Place each sample in a sealable poly bag and label with the following information: sample number, building name, building location, sample location, date of sampling, your name.
7b. Finishes analysis Mount small pieces of the paint samples in a petri dish filled with paraffin. Perform a microscopic analysis of the cross sections of each sample to determine the number of layers of finishes. Submit a finishes analysis report that for each finish layer, describes the color and the closest Munsell color match as observed. Also, for each finish layer, provide a match to your approximation of the original color as applied (extrapolating from the observed appearance for the effects of age) with a commercial paint color currently available. (List the commercial brand, line, color number and color name.) Also note the type of coating for each layer.
8. Paint conditions and treatments Select an historic building with some historic finishes in poor condition that have failed down to the substrates. Document the patterns of deterioration and identify the various conditions that may have contributed to the deterioration. Develop recommendations for treatment that address the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that have caused the deterioration. Provide specific recommendations for paint removal (if appropriate), substrate surface preparation, priming systems, and finishing techniques. List the specific products, colors and treatment techniques to be used.

Course Field Kits

It is recommended that 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.

January 13, 2010 © UVM Historic Preservation Program