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Historic Plaster Conservation Services - Notable Projects

Historic Plaster Conservation Services has developed specialised techniques for strengthening existing plaster in ceilings and walls. Our approach is most relevant in situations where failure of the plaster would result in the loss of painted or otherwise significant building fabric.

Read about the Historic Plaster Conversation Services methodology and process for conserving historic plaster.

Below you will find brief profiles on a few of our projects.
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Red Chamber, Province House, Nova Scotia

Province House (1818) is the oldest legislature in Canada. The Red Chamber housed the senate in pre-confederation days and is one of the finest Georgian rooms in North America. Today it is used for royal visits, and other ceremonial affairs of state.

HPCS was contracted as a consultant to assess the condition of the ceiling after workmen doing cosmetic repairs reported that large areas of its very ornately embellished plaster were sagging and had clearly detached from the wooden lath that supports the plaster. In a detailed report to the client's architect, we recommended an acrylic based consolidation and re-attachment procedure and were subsequently contracted to execute it.

The work was all carried out from within the ample attic space above the chamber. Technicians in radio contact with the attic crew, monitored the progress from the ceiling surface below in order to ensure that deep penetration of consolidant occurred, while at the same time guarding against the possibility of surface disfigurement from leaks. The chamber has been re-opened to the public, and there is no visible evidence of our having carried out the work.

Of special interest on this project was the use of sophisticated air quality monitoring equipment and Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA) to manage the high levels of methanol vapour associated with this particular consolidation process.

Castle Kilbride, Baden, Ontario

The castle is an Italianate villa restored with a large addition designed by architect C. A. Ventin to house municipal offices for Wilmot Township. HPCS was responsible for determining feasibility of improving the strength of a great deal of heavily decorated plaster, and for developing a program of conservation to take place before painting conservators would begin. The conservation program was executed over a ten week period. The building is designated National Historic Site primarily because of the elaborate paintings on its plaster walls and ceilings.

Metropolitan United Church, London, Ontario

Metropolitan is the largest United Church in Canada with seating for 1300 people. It was undergoing a major sanctuary redecoration and up-dating of various mechanical systems under architect Bill Ruth, of Tillman and Ruth Architects. HPCS developed and implemented a conservation and stabilization program for the vaulted plaster ceilings of the sanctuary. Our work eliminated all of the collateral damage often associated conventional plaster repair, and allowed the church to get reasonable pricing on the repainting they were having done. Work carried out over a ten week period.

Tassie Hall, Galt Collegiate Institute, Cambridge, Ontario

This 1930's, 200 seat high school auditorium has a vaulted plaster ceiling. The modern metal lath and cement based plaster had been severely damaged by continued water infiltration and was in a state of imminent collapse. HPCS first consolidated the plaster, and then replaced the rusted out wire lath with new mesh bonded to the improved plaster. Re-suspending was accomplished with wire ties as in the original. No plaster was lost during the project, and all the damage and expense that would have been associated with a conventional approach was avoided.

Annandale House Museum, Tillsonburg, Ontario

Annandale House is the generous former residence of town founder Edward Tillson, converted with additional space to house a community museum and meeting facility by architect C. A. Ventin.

The building's significance is based on high quality of original painted decoration on plaster ceilings in principle rooms. HPCS was responsible for all aspects of plaster conservation. Work included initial determination of feasibility, testing, recording and conservation. HPCS also supervised plaster replacement on behalf of the owners. The project ran to a successful completion over a three year period with full approval and financial contribution from Heritage Branch of provincial government. The building is a nominee for National Historic Site Designation.

Spadina House, Toronto Historical Board, Toronto, Ontario

Spadina House is the former estate of a prominent Toronto family. It was initially restored as museum and civic reception centre in the late 1980's. This phase of work covered the kitchen and staff quarters in the basement, and successfully illustrates "life below stairs" in a mansion.

HPCS worked with Toronto Historical Board director Bill Greer and Curator Gabriella Karadi, to produce an exhibit area that successfully interprets the evolution of the building, its technology and the curatorial sciences involved in a museum. HPCS was responsible for design and execution of the conservation plan for the exhibit areas in the five basement rooms. Conservation of original plaster with fragile calcimine paint surfaces was central to the project. Of special interest In this project is the innovative method we developed for the consolidation of standing frame wall plaster.

Dundurn Castle, Hamilton, Ontario

Dundurn is Hamilton's most famous landmark building. It has undergone a thorough exterior restoration over the last few years. Although it appears to be constructed of stone, the walls of this 1830's building are actually made of brick covered in stucco. Working with Taylor Hazel Architects, HPCS has been the prime consultant for the restoration and replication of the original stucco pattern, a sophisticated faux finish that simulates mortar joints and individual stone blocks. Our work included designing the mixes of material, recording the original layout for replication, and making recommendations for the preservation of specific original sections. Dundurn Castle is a National Historic Site.

Peel County Courthouse, Brampton, Ontario

This is a massive 1850's courthouse and council offices restored by architect C.A.Ventin to continue functioning as courts. The cornice of the main court room is over four feet in depth. In the project, this cornice was both stabilized and re-connected to its sub-strate. In the council chambers of the same building, the ceiling and its very grand paterna were both stabilized and re-adhered. The building is a National Historic Site.

Grosvenor Lodge, London, Ontario

The ceilings of two principle rooms in the front portion of this 1853 residence still retain original painted and applied plaster decoration. HPCS stabalized the ceilings and upper wall friezes and carried out essential repairs to the painted surface so that paint conservators could undertake their work.

Recent Conservation Projects include:

The Royal Suite, Rideau Hall, Ottawa - Residence of the Governor General of Canada.

As Consultants: A comprehensive report on the condition and options for conservation of this important 1830's ceiling. Conservation of the ornate elliptical plaster ceiling of the Royal Suite

Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa

Conservation of all plaster elements of the cathedral interior. The project included:

• Preservation treatments for all plain face plaster (+/- 25,000 sq. ft)
• Preservation treatment for +/- 2000 lin. ft. of plaster beams that outline the arches of this gothic inspired edifice
• Testing and subsequent stabilization of countless details of plaster ornament through out the cathedral.
• Replication and re-application of hundreds of lost and damaged plaster elements.
• Re-attachment of 14 massive plaster crockets to the arch between the nave and transept

Gould Memorial Library, Bronx Community College, Formerly New York University, Bronx NYC

Gould Memorial Library was designed by Stanford White of McKim Mead & White and built in 1897. Historic Plaster Conservation Services was contracted for three distinct projects over two years:

• Conservation and stabilizing of 16 life-sized plaster statues that adorn the upper railing in the rotunda of the library.
• Conservation of the coffered domed ceiling of the rotunda
• Conservation of the ceiling of the library entrance

Dominion Public Building, Hamilton, Ontario

The project involved the reattachment without removal of all the marble cladding in the main postal hall of this depression era building. High tech Ground Penetrating Radar was used to identify conditions within the matrix of the wall system, and allow us to rectify problems there without removing the marble.

Convocation Hall, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Conservation of the circular domed wire lath and plaster ceiling of this famous hall.

Capitol Theatre, Port Hope, Ontario

Stabilizing of the wire lath and plaster ceiling of the auditorium of this atmospheric theatre. Creation of two 50' long pneumatically operated plaster faced doors in the ceiling to conceal the theatrical lighting equipment from view during the projection of atmospheric effects on the ceiling.

George Street United Church, Peterborough, Ontario

Historic Plaster Conservation Services performed the following conservation services:

• Conservation of the plaster ceiling and its ornaments details.
• Completed upgrading of sanctuary lighting, attic safety catwalks, insulation and
• Removal of all lead contaminated existing paint from ceiling
• Redecoration of the sanctuary including extensive stencil work and re-creation of sacred images

Keene United Church, Keene Ontario

Conservation of the sanctuary ceiling plaster in preparation for redecoration

The Drawing Room, Chateau Laurier Hotel - Fairmont Hotels, Ottawa Ontario

Historic Plaster Conservation Services was contracted for restoration of the ceiling (+/- 6000 sq. ft.) including:

• recreation of 10 distinct molding elements,
• +/- 300 lin. ft. of six distinct extruded moldings
• replication of an extensive low relief frieze

Perth Town Hall, Perth Ontario

Recreation of elaborate cornice molding in the former council chambers of the town hall building.

Villa Idalia

Recreation of elaborate cornice and central medallions in the parlor and dining room of this Italianate Villa