Foreword to Modern Metal Finishes

Author(s): David Fixler

Source: APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, Vol. 46, No. 1, SPECIAL
ISSUE ON MODERN METAL FINISHES (2015), p. 3
Published by: Association for Preservation Technology International (APT)
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/43390255
Accessed: 06-05-2019 13:41 UTC

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 Foreword to Modern
Metal Finishes

The APT Technical Committee on where the loss of finish, coupled with that may prove economically viable
Modern Heritage (TC-MH) was the deterioration of sealants and glaz- only for projects of heightened signifi-
ing, can ultimately lead to the need to
officially inaugurated in 2007 to cance - and it is important that these
promote the understanding and carereplace
of entire envelope systems. be utilized as appropriate - but the
Modern resources. Among the primaryMany of the metals and finishes key to enabling success in the rehabili-
goals of the committee has been a that were developed to be used in large tation of many of these resources will
discussion of issues of evaluation and quantities for cladding do not acquire reside in being able to employ relatively
significance, such as those considered the kind of durable patina that is simple, economical, and, often, por-
during the symposium in Los Angeles produced by the oxidization of copper table treatments.
in 2009, in an attendant double issue and lead, but instead require coating The TC-MH thanks everyone who
of the APT Bulletin in 2011, and at - and the durability of these coatings contributed to making both the 2013
a symposium planned for the APT is often tied directly to the lifespan of workshop and this special issue of the
2015 annual conference in Kansas the host material. It is for reason that APT Bulletin a contribution of endur-
City. Another TC-MH goal addresses the TC-MH feels that gaining a better ing value for this field of conservation.
Modern material conservation, and in understanding of the history and nature We especially want to thank all of the
this regard the committee has helped to of finishes for these metals and how authors, presenters, and tour guides
sponsor workshops on materials such they may be conserved, renewed, or, and Norman Weiss and Columbia
as concrete, for which there is a work- ultimately, replaced is of critical impor- University for the use of their conser-
shop planned in Kansas City. From the tance to ensuring a positive prognosis vation laboratory facilities during the
time of the founding of the committee, for sustaining a large component of workshop. Finally, our deepest grati-
however, the care and treatment of Modern heritage over the long term. tude goes to Rosa Lowinger and Kyle
metals has been a primary focus and The TC-MH seeks to foster best Normandin for their vision, energy, and
concern. practices at all points across this spec- guidance in making this an event that
One of the two major architectural- trum, which means that the issue of has enriched this critical component of
conservation issues in the postwar how these metals are finished - wheth- the conservation of Modern heritage.
era (along with exposed concrete er as part of the renewal process or on
construction) is framed, lightweight replacement fabric - is fundamental
construction sheathed in relatively to recapturing
thin the visual, tactile, and
envelopes of wood, masonry performance veneer, qualities of the original
metal, or glass. These systems material.
becameOne of the key goals of the
the dominant means of commercial workshop on finishes of Modern met-
and institutional construction in the als, held at the APT annual conference
1950s and early 1960s, during the first in 2013, was to help foster a better
phase of postwar Modernism. There is understanding of the nature of the ma-
a variety of technical issues that must terials we are working with, how they
be addressed in conserving and renew- were originally finished, and what kinds
ing this kind of lightweight envelope, of conservation treatments best ensure
which, in many cases, is a curtain wall material renewal and longevity.
containing substantial areas of plate Herein lies a great opportunity for
glass and exposed metal. Numerous the architectural and conservation

HI
strategies continue to be developed for communities to partner with indus-
the rehabilitation of early curtain walls, try in the development of materials
and we have witnessed the full range of and techniques that can be applied to INTERNATIONAL

solutions, from comprehensive rehabili- Modern heritage on a large scale. Our The APT Bulletin is published by the

tation of existing fabric to total replace-
ment, depending upon the significance
of the resource and the nature and con-
dition of the fabric. The consequence of
replacement looms particularly large in
buildings where the curtain wall is the
dominant architectural expression and
hope is that the information and ongo-
ing research presented by the design
and conservation professionals during
the workshop and in this issue of the
Bulletin will eventually find its way into
broader application. There will always
be the need for specialized treatments
Association of Preservation Technology, an
interdisciplinary organization dedicated to
the practical application of the principles and
techniques necessary for the care and wise
use of the built environment. A subscription
to the Bulletin and free online access to
past articles are member benefits. For more
information please visit www.apti.org.

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