LA4 report

The fourth ‘Longford Academy’ (LA4) held at Woolmers and Brickendon Estates in northern Tasmania from 6-10 May 2013 concluded with very positive outcomes. Twenty participants from four Australian states and two from Macau participated in the five-day program and obtained advanced knowledge in the practical application of mortar mixing, re-pointing and conservation coatings. In the process, they also achieved a great deal for the two World Heritage listed properties with the assistance of perfect weather conditions, excellent teamwork and great enthusiasm.

At the request of the owners and managers of the two World Heritage-inscribed sites, attention this year focused on:

• repair and consolidation of salt damp-affected brick masonry
• polymer paint removal from porous masonry structures
• application of conservation surface coatings to masonry and wood

Proposals prepared at previous academies for the stabilisation and repair of two fragile wooden structures were also reviewed and discussed. While engaging in very practical activities, participants also engaged in professional conversations with experienced conservation practitioners, thus providing integrated practical and theory learning experiences.

A more detailed report can be downloaded here. 

The fourth Longford Academy achieved outstanding outcomes due to the happy coincidence of fine weather and excellent collaboration between the participants and presenters. The material support provided by Westox, Let’s Clean and Porter’s was critical to the success.

 

 

 

 

 

As the coordinator of LA4, I wish to thank all participants, and to extend special thanks to our hosts at Woolmers and Brickendon Estates and our sponsors (Westox, Porter’s and Let’s Clean) for their generosity in providing essential materials and support. It is a measure of the value of the Longford Academy that the participants return 2, 3 and 4 times and that all have left after giving an undertaking to return again next year.

Donald Ellsmore D Phil FAPT
Convenor
APT Australasia Chapter

LA4 in the news

The APT Australasia Chapter’s Longford Academy 4 held in Tasmania from 6-10 May 2013 featured in the ABC television news on Friday 10 May 2013.

A detailed report from convenor Donald Ellsmore will be published shortly.

Book now for Longford Academy 4: 6-10 May 2013

LA4: QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Investigation and repair of significant building fabric
6–10 May 2013   

The fourth ‘Longford Academy’ (LA4) is a short program in the conservation of traditional structures to be held at Woolmers and Brickendon Estates at Longford, Tasmania (World Heritage inscribed).

Aims

• Understand environmental impacts, deterioration and how to deal with complex challenges
• Investigate significant building fabric
• Learn how to obtain sustainable conservation outcomes
• Share knowledge and experience with experienced conservation practitioners
• Relax and learn in an environment rich in history in a World Heritage cultural landscape

Presenters

APT participants have extensive experience in conservation and education. Heritage specialists demonstrate techniques and lead hands-on field activities at selected sites.

Activities

Activities include inspections, workshops, demonstrations and direct involvement in conservation works across both sites. Reports on activities undertaken during previous editions of the Longfor Academy are available on this website:

LA1 2010
LA2 2011
LA3 2012

Dates

LA4 will run for 5 days, commencing on Monday 6 May and end on Friday 10 May 2013.

Participation Fee

A daily participation fee of $75 ($50 APT members) covers materials, site costs, refreshments and lunches. Single-day attendance subject to place availability.

Accommodation

B&B accommodation is available on site at Woolmers Estate (www.woolmers.com.au) and Brickendon Estate (www.brickendon.com.au). Bookings direct to Woolmers and Brickendon.

Enquiries and Bookings

Enquiries: email the convenor

Bookings: download the LA4 booking form, complete and email to the convenor

Notice: download a one page version of this notice

THE ‘LONGFORD ACADEMY’ IS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION SPONSORED BY THE PARTICIPANTS
An initiative of APT Australasia Chapter, Woolmers Estate, Brickendon, the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) and Heritage Tasmania.

Report from APT-PTN Charleston 2012

Aiken-Rhett House c.1820. Exterior restored to 1858 appearance.

A small contingent of APT Australasia Chapter members joined over 500 other delegates from around the world at the APT annual conference, held in October 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina. This year, APT collaborated with the Preservation Trades Network (PTN) by hosting the conference alongside the 16^th annual International Preservation Trades Workshop.

Examples of the replication of the 1850s faux finish on the verandah shutters at Aiken-Rhett.

Stephanie Franks (with badger softener in hand) demonstrating oak graining at the Aiken-Rhett house during the workshop on Historic Decorative Finishes.

Many superlatives could be applied to the experience and most who attended from afar will harbour warm memories of the wonderful southern hospitality and professional excellence that was evident in every aspect of the conference —the presentations, papers, workshops, demonstrations and social activities were all outstanding. A few highlights included the following:

• The two keynote speakers were Gerard Lynch, recognised internationally as the leading brick masonry expert, and Joseph P Riley Jr, the mayor of Charleston and a living treasure of the conservation movement. In the 30 years Joseph P Riley Jr has been the mayor of Charleston, the city has become recognised as a showcase of exemplary preservation and tourism — it was also the first city in USA to have a tourism management plan.
• Papers, workshops and field sessions of the highest calibre were presented. One of the features of the annual APT conference is the opportunity attendees have of visiting places rarely seen by the public and observing experts at work. Frank Lloyd Wright’s only southern plantation ‘Auldbrass’ and the Aiken-Rhett House in Charleston were two examples. The accompanying images convey some of the wonderful opportunities APT Australasia Chapter members enjoyed in Charleston.
• This year, because of the conference collaboration, PTN members demonstrated many of the skills and trades that preservationists from less well-developed places can only dream about. These included demonstrations of blacksmithing, and stone and plasterwork, including ‘tabby’ production.
• Plans for the next conference in New York were also unveiled. Members would be well advised to book early for that conference, which will also be undoubtedly memorable.

Frank Llloyd Wright’s only southern plantation house, Auldbrass. $30 million has been spent on conservation works by the current owner.

The spa and pool with the main house in the background at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Auldbrass — every vertical surface is set at an angle of 9 degrees to mimic the organic values of the treed site and the pentagon shape, shown here in the pool areas is repeated on the floors and other details throughout the many buildings.

Our own chapter was not completely overshadowed by these highlights.

• The Martin Weaver Scholarship was awarded this year to Myengsoo Soo, our third APT Australasia Chapter member from Korea. Sixteen students from Northern and Latin American also received scholarships to attend the conference.
• Chapter convenor, Donald Ellsmore was inducted to the College of Fellows in recognition of his contribution to APT over thirty years.

Drayton Hall, 1748 — which featured in field excursions, papers and a workshop.

Drayton Hall contains the oldest authentic interiors in USA, including 1748 ceiling plaster and 18th Century paint finishes, having only been painted twice.

Of course nothing comes without strings attached. Our list of must-dos has grown as a result of the continuing success of APT and the annual conference. We must:

• Endeavour to encourage more of our students to apply for student scholarships and work to support them with some financial assistance at least with their travel expenses (the only outlay they would incur if successful)
• Plan a ‘tour down under’ for North American-based APT members, to be possibly held in the autumn of 2014.

Members wishing to post a question or obtain first-hand reports of the conference should email the convenor

Donald Ellsmore FAPT
Convenor
APT Australasia Chapter

An Australian Fellow

At the APT Charleston 2012 conference, Donald Ellsmore was inducted as a member of the APT College of Fellows, an honour that recognised his long standing and exemplary contributions to APT and the field of historic preservation (conservation).

The APT College of Fellows honours those APT members who have provided valuable services to the preservation field and to APT.  Overall, the College advises the APT Board of Directors on issues regarding the advancement of philosophy and practice of preservation technology. Members of the College serve on committees or in other capacities, as needed.

Donald, in his role as Convenor of the APT Australasia Chapter, has tirelessly promoted the Association of Preservation Technology for nearly 25 years, and his nomination and subsequent induction to the APT College of Fellows was richly deserved.  Donald is the first Australian to be inducted into the APT College of Fellows.

David West
Co-convenor
APT Australasia Chapter

Georgetown, Malaysia – capacity building workshops

The APT Australasia Chapter is assisting George Town World Heritage Inc. with capacity building through the provision of training workshops for place managers and conservation practitioners.

The first workshops provided under this arrangement were presented in June 2012 to participants from Penang, Malacca and Sarawak. Donald Ellsmore (Melbourne-based convenor) was the lead presenter and Gesa Schwantes (University of Hong Kong) assisted.

Workshop 1 Porous Materials

The first workshop involved presentations on conservation of the common porous materials found in George Town; specifically brickwork, lime plasters and lime mortars, and damp treatments and desalination techniques. The practical component of the workshop was held at the Syed Alatas Mansion. Practical activities included making mortars with wet and dry slaking methods, preparing surfaces, salt removal with paper-based poultices and lime plasters.

Gesa Schwantes demonstrating a dry slaking method of making lime mortar	Donald Ellsmore demonstrating comparative methods of hot lime slaking at Syed Alatas mansion

Workshop 2 Organic and Non-Porous Materials

The second workshop included presentations on the characteristics and conservation of wood, ferrous metals, concrete, glass and ceramics. The practical components were a site inspection of works in progress at the Rice Miller site, where a large reinforced concrete structure is being adapted for a new use, and a detailed inspection of the Cheah Kongsi, where a range of conservation challenges was considered.

Cheah Kongsi, case study site where participants considered a range of issues	Participants at Cheah Kongsi	Rice Miller site – adaptive re-use of an historic concrete structure

Workshop 3 Architectural Finishes and Decorations

The third workshop included presentations on traditional surface coatings, internal building environments and RH, artificial climate control and conservation processes. The practical component was undertaken at the Syed Alatas Mansion. It included making and applying a range of conservation coatings.

Participants at Syed Alatas mansion applying tinted lime wash to a garden wall

Dr Donald Ellsmore
Convenor
APT Australasia Chapter
Email Donald

Longford Academy (LA3) report

Your webmaster has finally found the time to post this long-awaited report by Donald Ellsmore from the Longford Academy (LA3) held in Tasmania in May 2012.

The third Longford Academy was held at Woolmers and Brickendon Estates in Tasmania during the week of 16 – 20 May 2012. Participants from Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales included site managers, heritage consultants and tradesmen.

The format for the Academy is a self-funded hands-on learning activity over five days, focusing on the conservation issues at Woolmers and Brickendon Estates. This year the learning activities included:

• Structural stabilization
• o   Brickendon house stables
• o   Brickendon bull shed
• Re-pointing
• o   Woolmers coachman’s cottage
• Surface treatments
• o   Woolmers working horse stables and blacksmiths
• o   Woolmers homestead harling finish
• Damp and ground water ingress
• o   Woolmers homested

Structural analysis of the Brickendon house stables commenced with a preliminary investigation in 2011 during the second Longford Academy. As a result of that investigation, and work undertaken by the owner to relieve the ground water, further archaeological investigations were undertaken in 2012 and specific proposals were drawn up.  Refer to the report on the structural stabilisation of the Brickendon House Stables.

Chris How, engineer, discusses the problems with participants.

Investigation of the bull shed at Brickendon was limited to a site recording of the structure and a structural analysis. On the basis of this investigation it is concluded that the structure could not be safely repaired without the introduction of supplementary support and strengthening to avoid catastrophic failure and collapse.

Participants examining the bull shed at Brickendon on 17 May 2012.

The re-pointing activity ran over the five days of the Academy. Preparation of the repair area of repair was made at the beginning when the materials and methodology were tested. Sands were washed and graded, while the lime was slaked and matured (briefly). The lime mortar repairs were then undertaken and the site was tended to assist the carbonation and curing.

Testing of the sands prior to preparation of mortars for the repointing activity.	Participants getting familiar with the churn brush and its role in tending repair mortars.

The examination of surface treatments at Woolmers focused on the protection of the exposed woodwork and some repairs to the harling finishes. Pigmented and unpigmented oils were prepared and applied to bare wood in several locations. The unpigmented oils were mixed with pine tar according to a standard recipe. The pigmented oils were coloured to blend with the aged appearance of adjoining surfaces. The harling repair trials included an application of ferrous sulphate tinted limewash to the south wall of the blacksmiths shop and the removal and repair of a salt affected area of plaster at the east front of Woolmers homestead. No fresh harling was applied but substantial progress with methodology for future repairs was made with the input of plasterers who attended the academy.  Their considerable knowledge of traditional lime plastering and application techniques informed planning for future works.

Conservation painting exercise at the working horse stables at Woolmers.	The aim of the painting was to provide protection to the wood without materially altering the appearance.

The issue of salt damp in the north-east front of Woolmers homestead was first examined at the second Longford Academy in 2011, when the structure was examined in detail and moisture readings were taken in the most affected areas. Following that analysis core holes were made across the north eastern garden area in 2011 to determine the sub-ground conditions.

The area of ground on the north side of Woolmers homestead (left) discharging water into the rooms and cellars (right).	Sub-surface water table established by augur boring across the ground on the north side of the homestead.

The fourth Longford Academy will be held at Woolmers and Brickendon in 2013. Participants will have the opportunity to progress the former works and to investigate other issues within the broad aims of assisting with the conservation of the places and sharing knowledge about traditional and new conservation technologies and practices.

Donald Ellsmore
Convenor
APT Australasia Chapter