HPCS Educational Building Projects
Washington, D.C. (1927) The Building: The Howard University School of Medicine dates to 1868, just one year after the founding of the university. The framed buildings are the Seeley G. Mudd Building, opened in 1979, and the Dr. Numa Pompilius Garfield Adams Building, opened in 1927 and expanded in 1957. The new half of the Adams … Read more
Toronto, Ontario (1907) About the Building:One of Toronto’s premier concert and speaking venues, Convocation Hall is a domed rotunda and the centerpiece building on the grounds of the University of Toronto’s downtown campus. Designed by renowned architects, Frank Darling and John A. Pearson, the building was inspired by the grand theatre of the Sorbonne and the … Read more
Rutherford, New Jersey (1890) The Building:A Gilded Age mansion. The Problem:Classic example of the detachment of plaster from the wood lath as evidenced by numerous broken keys & lugs, and the settlement of plaster away from the substrate. Project Synopsis:Historic Plaster Conservation Services (Canada) was asked to assess the ceiling (which featured valuable decorative painting … Read more
Bronx, New York (1899) The Building:National Historic Site designed by Stanford White. The Issue of Concern:There was serious concern for public safety after a cast plaster ornament (rosette) fell off the ceiling of the Guastovino tiled dome. In addition, the large cast plaster figures were severely damaged by vandalism during student demonstrations. Project Synopsis:Historic Plaster … Read more
Bronx, New York (1950) To Remove or not to Remove? That was the Question.Widespread delimination of the gypsum plaster skim coat from the cast concrete ceiling presented a safety problem in this school built in the 1950s. Two remedial options were considered: 1. Scrape off the existing plaster and then re-plaster; or 2. Re-adhere the … Read more
Tassie Hall, Galt Collegiate InstituteCambridge, Ontario (1852) The Building:A Collegiate auditorium Project Synopsis:The 200-seat high school auditorium, added in the 1930s, has a vaulted ceiling, comprised of expanded metal lath and cement-based plaster, which had been severely damaged by continued water infiltration. A survey conducted by HPCS indicated that if we could consolidate the plaster … Read more