Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Hoist a Stein - A Big One!

Been in the NW Suburbs for 7 weeks and was happy to hear this story on the local NPR radio station (WBEZ 91.5 FM) ... beer and old buildings.  Two of items in my top 10 list. 
http://www.wbez.org/blog/lee-bey/2011-12-07/then-and-now-lets-hoist-stein-former-brewerys-past-and-present-94381

Monday, November 7, 2011

National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act - HR 1505.

This huge bill (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-1505) empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take many thousands of acres of land across the US northern border.  The bill tosses aside many of the existing laws that protect the environment and many historic resources.  This bill is being submitted for “national security” reasons, of course.  Makes me say hum….

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Look Out Below!

A re-roofing project began on the Schoolhouse in Frisco, Summit County, CO last week. For more info on the Historic Park see:  http://www.townoffrisco.com/activities/historic-park-museum/.  I went over there to see how things were coming along and the contractor kindly greeted me with this very scary situation.  Yowza!  No fall protection and/or protection of the public right-of-way from falling objects onto the sidewalk (or people) below.  Shame on the contractor, the Town Administration, the authority having jurisdiction for allowing such lackluster safety to be on public display. 



No fall protection @ Frisco Historic Schoolhouse 7 Oct 2011.  Photos courtesy of David J. Garner. 

Mushrooms and Neglect.

These babies were chain sawed into the stump and give pleasure to those whom take time to gaze into the forest.  They are along US HWY 6 in Keystone, Summit County, CO  near the entrance to the Keystone River Golf Course. And, how cool is this ... about every few years, an unknown person, gives them a new color.  Last year they were pink, just bee-you-tee-full! 
Wood mushrooms @ Keystone, CO 19 Oct 2011.  Photo courtesy of David J. Garner.

Question:  Why does someone care for these objects and so many local historic resources are being neglected?

Beer and Conservation / Preservation Trades … You betcha!

For me these days, it is all about craft beers and at the 2011 Preservation Trades Network (PTN) Conference, I was looking forward to a holding a glass of the local brew giving a sniff, taking a sip, and enjoying it.  My journey to the conference was long and difficult – a total of 28 hours.  I arrived at the Cork Factory Hotel in Lancaster, PA at 6:08 am on Thursday August 4th.  I live in the high country of Colorado 9,000 feet above sea level and traveling that long I felt like I ran an endurance race, which is similar to brewing beer at almost two miles above sea level. 
I am told, that high altitude brewing is a struggle for the yeast, an anaerobic endurance race that only the toughest can survive; without sufficient oxygen, yeast cannot turn the mash into alcohol.  Boiling points are lower, so hops and malts must fight to steep into the water to produce something with noticeable color and taste.  I am not a brewer, but enjoy tasting craft brews and the Pennsyltucky Bourbon Blend Friendship Brew was the first beer I tasted at the conference.  It did not disappoint.  For me it had complex characteristics that came across as laid-back and personable, which were very similar characteristics of the conference.  I happily bellied-up to numerous conference sessions finding each presenter very knowledgeable in their craft without the aid of high-tech gizmos, commonly used at the HUGE breweries. 

After getting some much needed rest, the first session I was able to attend was “Got Goop?” by Ken Follett & Glen James.  These fella’s began the discussion asking us to think about the materials that we use in our trade and the processing of materials we used, from the raw material, to the finished / installed material, to the possible recycling of that material.  I began to think about what raw Goop is needed in crafting beer and the upcoming hop harvest in certain areas of the country came to mind.  If you haven’t tried a fresh hop, or wet hop ale, you should.  It is brewed and infused with freshly picked hops that are not over 24 hours old from vine to kettle.  Breweries located in close proximity of the hop farms have the advantage of going directly to the growers to get theirs, while those not so lucky will have to have them shipped overnight.  This trick of using fresh hops captures the freshness of the flavor component, does not add bitterness, only aroma. As craftspeople, I wondered how many times we have we tried to keep out the bitterness on one of our projects wishing that only the good aroma filtered into the clients sniffing zone. 

Having taught Documentation Classes at several colleges the old fashion way – field measuring by hand and drawing with ink on mylar sheets by hand – Battle Brown’s session “Let Your Building Speak!  Existing Conditions Documentation in the 21st Century” was like having a beer truck, which is the adult version of the ice cream truck, stop at my front door and say drink up it’s a new century.  He introduced documentation technology that, for me as an Historical Architect, I believe, should be utilized in every historic preservation project regardless if it is planning, design, restoration, or ongoing maintenance.  Much like after tasting a few cold refreshing cold adult beverages, generally, we speak louder, so too will your historic resources after imbibing in one of many of the image rendering processes he offered during his session. 

The Slate Roofing Demo and the Opening Reception at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/) was a wonderful setting to showcase the talents of the slate roofer master craftsmen.  Did you all catch the little trick of the trade – a double bend in the last fastener – used in securing the last ridge slate?  It is no longer a secret, eh?  Anyway, there was the other adult beverage – wine – being showcased in the Yellow Barn by a local Winery, yum.  I was just overwhelmed at all the potential projects within the boundaries of this living history museum, it made my head spin, or was it just the keg of the Pennsyltucky Bourbon Blend Friendship Brew that was freshly tapped? 

Master Painter John Learnard is one craftsman I could really, really, really learn to like.  During his first session of “Wood Graining Faux Finishes” demo he mentioned that he likes to use beer stains.  Did I hear him correctly?  Yes, “BEER” stains he said are about as close color match as you as you can get to the real thing (Goop?).  I asked what the recipe for his walnut beer stain was and he indicated that it involves soaking walnut shells in a “good European heavy beer” for a few weeks.  The heavy beer works the best because the yeast acts as a binder.  John indicated that he likes to use Heineken.  A few bottles are used for making the batch of stain and a few bottles for him.  Finally, I finally crossed paths with somebody who truly understands the old world ways of Faux Finishes. 

Todd File filled in for Jeff Price at the “Historic Masonry Preservation – It’s not all Lime Putty” session.  Reviewing some terminology Todd tossed out like; clay, hot lime, lime putty, hydrated lime, hydraulic lime, quick lime, natural lime putty, hot mix, blended hydraulic lime, mortar, feebly, moderately, and eminently, etc was a good introduction for all in attendance.  I stop to think, that if you put the word ‘hammered’ after the last three terms, it would be good descriptor for those who belly up to the bar for a few or few too many. 

The “Historic Window Preservation Summit Report” by David Gibney and Jim Turner provided good briefing on the status of the Summit and the measured facts/figures via the blower door tests are forth coming and will solidify what we already know that restoring windows is a better long-term approach than replacements in historic resources.  Most importantly, they asked each and every one of us to http://ptnresource.org/WPSC_forum/index.php and please provide written comments that you have regarding window restoration, agencies to contact, and other means not explored, etc.  I will have a cold beer in hand when I’m uploading my comments for sure. 

“Putty Pushing for Smart People” by Andy Roeper continued to add tricks of the trade to my quiver when it comes to window restoration, thanks.  In the future, I will not have any uncertainties about rejecting window restoration work that does not feed the sash, mintins, rabbits, and frames, “a drink” of 50/50 mixture of linseed oil and turpentine (a.k.a. beer for old wood), silicone caulk as back bedding, and that evil Goop DAP 33. 

Although I was not able to have met every conferee, vendor, and demonstrator, I came close at Friday night’s dinner and auction, by hawking raffle tickets for the Chinese Bag Raffle to many of them.  It was good getting to briefly know most conferee's and trust I didn’t bore them with my alpine ski race coaching tall tales. 

Michael Kramer and Jill London’s demo “Gilt Trip: Using Gold Leaf on Interior & Exterior Architectural Elements” was truly enlightening.  Just like making beer, surface preparation is the key component of the gilding process.  When these two are engaged (fingers crossed) to gild the State of Colorado Capital dome, I hope I can invite myself into their workplace for a day or two.  Of course, I’ll buy them a beer or two after it is completed. 

If you ever get to the high country of Colorado, please consider contacting me.  First, I would love to continue learning more tricks of the trades and would hope we could learn whilst sliding on the snow covered slopes.  See, I will ski with anyone, any run, and any time.  On our ski adventure, I will take you the fun parts of the mountain and at the end of the day you get to buy me a beer in return for the adventure.  Just remember, many tourist in the crowd look sluggish, worn down and light headed by the thin air (no solvents needed), and the vapor from the mash tank from 4 brewery’s in a 30 mile radius of my home adds to the aroma.  Even if we don’t get swap tricks of the trade while skiing, I would love to have a local craft beer with you.  So when any of you get up to Summit County, CO, are in need a refreshing adult beverage, want to talk shop, please call me. 

Friday, September 23, 2011

Get Out! (side)

This Saturday, 24 September 2011, get outside and enjoy National Public Lands Day!   Volunteer a few hours on a conservation/preservation/restoration project and/or enjoy the day in a national park with free admission!
Find your public lands here: http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites.
Fine your local national park here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Friday, September 16, 2011

Palladio Awards Entry Deadline 23 Nov 2011.

Always look forward to viewing the winners in the restoration and renovation cat's.  See: http://palladioawards.com/

Someone from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign should nominate the north addition to Huff Hall for an award. 
Huff Hall Addition University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigns, looking S.E.  Photo by: David J. Garner, August 2011. 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Ecoconscious

Despite my grown-up façade and middle age, I’m suffering from a premature case of panic.  Recently, in the middle of the night, I’ve had a strange feeling mostly because of the unknowing of what lies ahead in the numerous symbols (and fragmented groups) within the ecology of the built environment. 

Panic is from my dreams that have been taking me back to my youth, specifically the Boy Scouts, I am awe struck with some of the wild meanderings and misdeeds that were undertaken during that time of my life.  In the early 1970’s, as I neared earning my Eagle Scout award, our Troop became caught up in a new ecology movement.  Today it has morphed into "ecoconscious", which is defined by Merriam Webster as: marked by or showing concern for the environment. 

Back then, there was a symbol that seemed to be everywhere embracing this new “ecology movement.”  That symbol was a small letter “e” inside the larger letter “O,” the letters standing for “environment” and “organism” and putting them in superposition, thereby forming a shape reminiscent of the Greek letter Θ (Theta).  On November 7, 1969, cartoonist Ron Cobb invented the symbol and published it in the Los Angles Free Press, thus it was placed it in the public domain.  It appeared as a green U.S. flag for the first time in the April 21, 1970 issue of Look magazine.


The back flap of my 1972 external frame back pack.  Courtesy of:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecology_Flag

When I Googled “ecology symbol” it brought-up 28 pages and I thought what a better time to dust off that 70’s ecology symbol and bring it back into mainstream?  Not only for the heck of it, extending an olive branch to the green / sustainability, but the ecology movement brought us new words such as recycling, climate change, and acid rain.  Many of those words are included in today’s green movement. 

The ecology movement of the 70’s also caused a shift in our cultural and those collectively willing to do something about it took leadership roles.  Boy Scouts and the many foot soldiers did things they could do locally, with gusto. For example, wherever our Troop went, we picked up teeny tiny itsee bitsee’s (trash) and planted countless variety of trees on the land of a Christmas Tree Farm around Valparaiso, IN.  That tree farm belonged to a childhood friend of the Scoutmaster.  We were told by the ecology movement leadership that planting trees reduced the influence of climate change, for us it was an excuse to get muddy, and it just felt good engaging with the earth. 

Those were important years because:  a) The Environmental Protection Agency was founded in 1970.  b) In a 1971 public service announcement, more successful than Smokey Bear’s, showed a Native American canoeing down a polluted stream; a single tear rolled down his face.  c) America was conducting nuclear tests in the Aleutian Islands.  Google Earth that place, Yowza!.  d) A group of anti-whaling environmentalists claimed the name “Greenpeace” in 1972.  e) My Canadian buds tell me that in Vancouver, BC there were billboards saying “Ecology?  Look it up!  You’re involved.” 

Today, my high country mountain lifestyle is, once again, being gauged by that “ecology symbol” and the ecoconscious of it all.  That symbol is on back flap of my 1972 external frame backpack.  Somehow, that original ecology symbol wasn’t as enduring as it should have been.  The green theta ornamented flags, buttons, t-shirts, walls, and yes, backpacks for several years before it disappeared from the mainstream.  

In my dreams, a woman eyeing my backpack asks, “Where are you going?”  I blurt out 1972.  I laugh then, silence fills the dream, and the woman awaits a correct answer: place fixed on a map.  How can I tell her that this is no laughing matter?  In the early 1970’s ecology was beginning to become entangled with society’s norms – for the better of America.  Due to historically outrageous decisions by our countries leaders when it came to fossil fuels, ecology movement was forgotten, but not lost.  Not many remained too kept up the mainstream fight and as the end of the oil embargo neared, ecology quickly faded from memory as did the symbol.  Depending on whom you talk to, the ecology / ecoconscious has been going at the grassroots level since it faded from mainstream, and today’s green / sustainability movement have taken the reins.  Thus, I’m guessing the 28 pages of revised / updated symbols.  I ask that the leadership of today’s green movement please “Keep er Steady” and embrace the original symbol.   

Remembering that the “ecology symbol” was popularized in the seventies is okay.  It was almost like another Zodiac and/or Peace symbol.  It seemed to messenger in a new dawning awareness of our Mother Earth and the much needed Environmental Goodness.  What a better time to revive it than now?  Please, will each and every one of you that are involved with the conservation of historic resources within the built environment bring the green theta back into our visual vocabulary?  Will you please do this for Mother Earth and a panicking middle aged Boy Scout dreamer? 



Friday, September 9, 2011

Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2011

H.R. 1964: Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2011 is part of the


112th Congress: 2011-2012. It is currently pending in Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and, if approved, will make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions.

How does this affect conservation of the built environment? Well, it is an important tool and will be a means in supporting ways to assist local ranchers' long term survival by extending tax deductions for “conservation easements” and will do more to achieve family legacy of ranches than all the existing traditional programs combined.

Locally, the in Summit County, Colorado, the Howard Giberson - Land Conservation Legacy comes to mind (http://www.cdlt.org/friends/index.html). Howard Giberson was a third generation Summit County-an who was raised on his family’s ranch located between Frisco and Dillon where Giberson Bay of the Dillon Reservoir is today. Howard bought the ranch from his parents in the 1950’s only to see it gradually taken away from him; first by the Denver Water Board for Dillon Reservoir and then by the Department of Transportation for Interstate 70. The original 780 acre ranch was down to less than 200 acres. Mr. Giberson wanted to protect what was left of his family’s ranch. After granting thirteen small lots to his nieces and nephews, he protected the rest of the ranch with a conservation easement that he granted to Contintental Divide Land Trust (CDLT) in 1998. Howard’s commitment to protecting the land and the ranching heritage of his family and Summit County earned this special recognition. Mr. Giberson passed away in July 2007 at the age of 95. Mr. Giberson’s niece Peggy Chamberlain Alexander accepted the award on behalf of the Giberson family.

I do hope when restoration of historic resources, which are in need of restoration within this easement that the CDLT engages the proper consultants (Archaeologists, Historical Architects, Landscape Architects, Historic Preservation Specialists / Contractors) for such undertakings. 

Friday, September 2, 2011

Federal Preservation Policy and Foot Soldiers

The Federal Historic Preservation Program Task Force, which was convened by Preservation Action and the Preservation Action Foundation recently released a report titled: “Aligned for Success: Recommendations for Increasing the Effectiveness of the Federal Historic Preservation Program” (http://www.preservationaction.org/Task%20Force/AlignedForSuccess.pdf).

It appears to me that it is a good prescriptive document for policy and such.  However, in my opinion, proper education needs to immediately occur at the grassroots level not high up.  This is because, recently, I have seen the historic fabric of many local historic resources being adversely affected by the actions of foot soldiers (Public Work Directors, Presidents of Historic Society, Maintenance Staff, Town Council Members, Historic Park/Museum Directors, etc.) charged with stewardship of these resources. 

Some of these ill-advised decisions are made out either out of a) pure ignorance (e.g., not knowing about the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings,” not understanding how choose an appropriate treatment, or how to engage trained professionals), or b) knee-jerk reaction to save local tax dollars. 

For sure, I get the need to have a strong and all encompassing federal preservation policy, but an important focus should be strengthening the "Community Assistance" component of the policy.  Right now the local foot soldiers are not visible or even held accountable to anyone, for their actions, not even the SHPO or the CLG, if one exists. 

We are all taught in Intro to Historic Preservation classes that the strength in policy is at the local level.  If the proposed realignment of federal preservation policy will be focused at the local level, I will be in full support, if not, I cannot support it. 

So, if long-term proper care of historic resources is the desired outcome of policy, it is urgent that foot soldiers and their engaged consultants / contractors receive proper education and hands-on training.  This guidance will aid in reducing the continual damage of historic fabric.  Bottom line is that the local foot soldiers must be held accountable for their actions and proper decisions are vital for appropriately maintaining, thus conserving many local historic resources over the long-term. 
 

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Bone Head Decisions - Replacement Windows


Back in 1987, I was heavily involved with the restoration of the Greek Revival Cottage in Leal Park, Urbana, IL. Early in August 2011, I returned to the flatlands of east-central IL to have a look at the restored windows in this historic resource and how the wood/resin composite repairs that were undertaken on the sash and sills were holding up.

Long story short.  The restored windows and storm sash were replaced, by the new building Owner (Urbana Park District), over the objections of the previous building Owner (Preservation and Conservation Society of Champaign County), just 10 years after the restoration project.


This sad tale is just another (unnecessary) Bone Head decision by a building Owner.  If only some standards exist that would assist and guide the movers-n-shakers and building Owners of historic resources. Well, I am happy to write that the Restoration Window Standards project cruses along. Late last year a handful of Historic Window Specialists got together and formed the Window Preservation Standards Collaborative (WPSC) website: http://ptnresource.org/WPSC/. These standards should be published next year.

I encourage everyone connected with the built environment (e.g.:Building Owners, Public Works Directors, Maintenance Directors, Facility Managers, Architects, Historic Preservation Specialists, Educators, Trainers, Homeowners, Planning Commissioners, Town Council Members, Conservation & Preservation Board Members, LEED Professionals, BPI Professionals, NAHB Certified Green Professionals, RESNET Professionals, Handyman, General Contractors, etc. to read the following articles. 

NYTimes
http://tinyurl.com/3ty4b2y

Traditional Building:
http://tinyurl.com/3dzctbv

Door & Window Journal:
http://tinyurl.com/436vy5y


Greek Revival Cottage, Urbana, IL, looking SE, August 2011,.  Photo courtesy of David J Garner. 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Knuckle-Head Project Delivery

Recently, I have seen some real knuckle-head approaches when it comes to delivering projects for the restoration of some local historic resources.  You see, the authority having jurisdiction, along with the owner’s representative, have chosen to skip a few important and critical steps in the delivery process to save a few of the tax dollars.  Humph!  What is surprising is that a member of Town Council is an Architect.  Gez.... 

Creating a project team (owner, owner’s representatives, planners, historical architects, engineers, historic preservation specialists, properly qualified general and prime contractors, etc) is necessary and was skipped by the owner. 

If properly created, this team will provide guidance in the assessment of the resources only aids in the development of construction documents, technical specifications, material selections, quantity of items, schedule of values, contracts, and excreta.  All of which are essential in any project, big or tiny.  By adhering to the accepted, time tested, and tried-n-true facility delivery approaches provides a complete, systematic, and thorough project via a fair and competitive process in the open market.  It also assures that the improvements necessary for the proper long-term longevity have been provided for correctly, not by those that done a some work on "old" buildings. 

Thus, when using a proper deliver process, the continued existence of historic resources is guaranteed.  Ignorance of not knowing or understanding a proper delivery method for restoration projects is just NOT  a viable excuse to save a few dollars.