In this presentation, I was looking forward to learning about the approaches that are taken in the preservation and conservation of modern built heritage.
Lacey Bubnash (Architectural Conservator at Architectural Resources Group) and Katie Horak (Senior Associate at Architectural Resources Group and Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Architecture, University of Southern California) shared their experience of preservation planning for The Village Green, also known as the Baldwin Hills Village, in Los Angeles.
Built in 1941-1942, the Village Green is a modern housing complex that includes residential buildings (today occupied as condos) with garages, community structures, such as a clubhouse and maintenance building, and large open spaces. The complex was designed with the idea of providing affordable housing for the pre-World War II community. On this account, inexpensive and mass-produced materials were used to construct the complex.
In their presentation, Lacey spoke about the site documentation that she and Katie prepared and reviewed during this phase, including the Historic Structure Report and Cultural Landscape Report respectively. These reports identify challenges for the site’s preservation and conservation, such as the presence of mid-century modern materials, and include recommendations for preservation and conservation treatments.
Lacey also presented about the application that she and Katie submitted for the Village Green’s inclusion in the Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program. This Program is a financial incentive for historic preservation in California. It binds the participating city and the property owner in a contract that sees the reduction in property taxes in return for the property owner’s restoration and maintenance of the property. Their application was successful in obtaining a Mills Act designation for the Village Green.
I found this presentation to be a very interesting glimpse into the planning and preparations for the preservation and conservation of built heritage. I enjoyed learning about the process involved in such a large and multifaceted project – encompassing both built structures and designed landscapes – that bears the additional challenges of dealing with modern design concepts and materials.
Author: IdaPohoriljakova
42nd Annual Meeting – Architecture + Objects Joint Session, 29 May, 2014, “Conservation Realities and Challenges: from Auto Regulation to Imposition at Archaeological and Historical Sites in Colombia” by Maria Paula Alvarez
I was drawn to this presentation on account of my background in archaeology. Although I have never had the chance to visit Colombia, I was very interested to hear about the challenges, that Colombian conservators, archaeologists, and other allied professionals encounter in their efforts to preserve their country’s archaeological and historical sites.
Maria Paula Alvarez, Director at the Corporacion Proyecto Patrimonio, presented a number of interesting case studies to illustrate the types of conservation and preservation problems that she and her colleagues face and work on solving. Her examples included assessments, research, testing, and treatments at
1) archaeological sites, such as:
- The Archaeological Site of Fuente de Lavapatas, where the conservation issue was stone deterioration. Extensive studies – including the evaluation of the environmental conditions at the site and the geological and physical properties of the affected stone – were conducted to determine the causes of deterioration. As well, testing of treatment materials – including biocides for controlling biodeterioration and consolidants for disintegrated areas – were undertaken.
- The Archaeological Park of Facatativa, where panels of rock art were deteriorating not only as a result of exposure to the natural environment, but also as a result of exposure to humans. Both biodeterioration and vandalism in the form of graffiti were damaging to the rock art panels. The panels received conservation attention for both problems.
2) and historical monuments, such as:
- The Jimenez de Quesada Monument in the city of Bogota, which had been damaged as a result of vandalism in the form of graffiti. The monument received a conservation treatment that included both the removal of the graffiti as well as the application of a coating to protect the monument against future graffiti vandalism.
In all of the cases that she presented, Maria spoke about the effect of the political, social, and economical climate on the sites’ conservation and preservation. She stressed the impact that such climates have on cultural heritage, from the care to the destruction of sites. She explained how various political, social, and economical circumstances have led her and her colleagues to determine goals and procedures for conservation and preservation projects. I found these concepts very powerful. For me, this presentation was a strong reminder of the complexities involved in the preservation of cultural heritage.
39th Annual Meeting – Tour, May 31, New Barnes Foundation Building: Hard-Hat Tour
The hard-hat tour of the new building of The Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia was most definitely a treat. For those who are not familiar with The Barnes Foundation, this is an institution that is known for its fabulous collection of 18th and 19th century French paintings, unique gallery space designs, and devotion to education. The collection is currently housed in Merion, Pennsylvania. The new building is scheduled to open in May 2012.
The tour began in front of the building, where everyone was given a hard-hat and welcomed to the construction site. The tour was conducted by William W. McDowell, Senior Building Project Executive. When completed, the building, dressed in stone slabs from the Negev Desert in Israel, will be surrounded by a garden with tall trees and a pool. Attention was given to creating a serene environment that will allow 
visitors to enjoy the collection. Mr. McDowell stressed that this project is about the collection – particularly its preservation.
The tour proceeded into the building, where we were led through some of the gallery spaces, the lower level spaces, and the behind-the-scenes collections spaces, ending in the paintings conservation lab (the objects conservation lab will remain in Merion).
Having visited the Merion building, I found the empty gallery spaces interesting – the gallery space designs and dimensions are identical to those in the original building in Merion. This will allow the artwork and furniture to be placed in exactly the same locations within the galleries. Only one painting will be moved to a different location in order to be more accessible to visitors. Architectural features in the galleries, however, will not be duplicates of those at Merion, but simplified imitations. The basement level will have spaces for programming activities, including a 150-seat auditorium. The gift shop will also be located in the lower level.
The final stop of the tour was the conservation lab. Designed by Samuel Anderson Architects, this space aroused admiration from all tour attendees. Barbara Buckley, Head Conservator at The Barnes Foundation, was present on the tour and spoke about the future lab to us. She told us of the many visits that were made to conservation labs in various institutions during the designing process. The completed lab will have the greatest number of windows in the entire building. This will not only let plenty of natural light into the lab, but will also provide a great view. There will be space for an x-ray machine, analytical instrumentation, and art storage. Located in proximity to the curatorial and educational spaces, this arrangement will allow the departments to work closely together. A study room in this vicinity will promote the examination and study of the artwork for educational purposes.
Many thanks to William McDowell and Barbara Buckley for a great tour!