Three primary mechanisms of paper deterioration in library and archival collections are driven by climatic conditions of excessive relative humidity. These are chemical reactivity, mechanical stress and biological deterioration. It is the view of the researcher that the role of chemical reactivity has not been adequately assessed in relation to the deterioration of paper. The significance of an autoxidative phenomenon, similar to the brown tideline staining at the wet/dry interface, has not been previously recognised as a cause of deterioration as an accelerated function of time under humid conditions of the macroclimate, and as a function of the unstable equilibrium moisture content of materials in a microclimate, but has been obscured by the accepted explanation of biological deterioration. An analytical procedure was developed to enable the comparison of oxidative degradation products found in stained areas of naturally aged samples with those formed during a dynamic simulated ageing programme to induce cellulosic discolouration. A relationship between the degradative mechanism and humid climatic conditions was established. Based on the findings of the analytical investigation, this study forms a contribution towards the development of a theory of deterioration. Evidence is presented of a chemical process of degradation in the oxidation of paper at the wet/dry interface, following the condensation and evaporation kinetics induced by cycling relative humidity (RH) driven by temperature fluctuations in diurnal and seasonal ranges. Sites of moisture accumulation at which the oxidative reaction readily take place, and which constitute a wet/dry interface, are identified at surface areas exposed to atmospheric exchange, in physical defects, in uneven adhesive lamination, in local wet treatments, in impervious storage enclosures or adjacent to an impervious surface which acts as a vapour barrier to the transudational force of capillary action. In advancing the theory of a chemical response of library and archival materials in the fluctuating moisture content as an explanation for the causation of cellulosic staining, the evidence of foxing is redefined. Librarians, archivists and conservators are thus assisted in the identification of the basic chemical reactions involved in the process of deterioration, and in recognising the role of oxidative degradation relation to environmental conditions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

No description available.

Wallpaper is a significant decorative finish of late nineteenth century interiors. Determining the appropriate approach for treatment in situ, execution of a custom reproduction, or the selection of an appropriate reproduction for a "period look" requires extensive research by an interior designer. The integrity of the historic interior can be lost or compromised during the restoration or rehabilitation process if it is based on misguided decisions. The conservation principles established in the Venice Charter and the criteria or guidelines established in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation must be considered before a plan is implemented.The emphasis of this thesis will be establishing a methodology which addresses the design issues confronting interior designers with regard to historic wallpaper in the context of restoration and rehabilitation or adaptive use projects. The period of 1870-1900 reflects a major change inexhibitions have examined aspects of this complex period and it style and the peak period for production and use of American wallpaper. This is the most misunderstood period with regard to wallpaper because the rejection of wallpaper by the modern movement lingers today. In the past decade, four major museum is now being viewed as a critical cultural and artistic watershed.Through research, an appreciation of the various patterns and colorways will be developed. The technological innovations which affected the quality and quantity of wallpaper will also be examined. Documentation of wallpaper for this period will also include reference collections, interior photographs taken during the period, and examination of original sources written during or preceding the period. A survey of what documented reproductions are available on the market today and which are appropriate for interiors of American buildings constructed in the decades 18701900 will be reviewed. Books have been written on the subject of wallpaper, but a single reference does not exist with the information and guidelines needed by designers working on restoration and rehabilitation projects.The selected case studies examine the restoration and rehabilitation approaches to wallpaper. Conclusions were drawn from the diverse projects to reveal the broad range of appropriate treatments or solutions in the context of projects and issues. / Department of Architecture

Marezzo scagliola is a type of artificial marble made by pulling pigmented skeins of raw silk through a wet mixture of pigmented plaster. This material was a popular architectural material used in prominent public building throughout the United States at the turn of the nineteenth century. Most of the marezzo scagliola found in American buildings today is near or more than 100 years old. While it is by nature a very durable material, the negative effects of temperature, moisture and building evolution have all but destroyed some examples of marezzo scagliola. Unfortunately, the original craft techniques used to fabricate marezzo scagliola were never well documented. Recipes and techniques were usually passed down from father to son or were closely coveted by artisans seeking to hold a monopoly in the market. In the last 20 years, a very small number of conservators working to restore all types of scagliola have begun to document the history of scagliola as well as the techniques used in repair and replication. This thesis will expand upon the small amount of information available by documenting in detail the process used to both fabricate and repair marezzo scagliola. / Department of Architecture

This thesis examines the present historical resources of the Rushville Commercial Historic District. After tracing the history of the central part of Rushville from its founding in 1822 to the present, the study describes the present condition of the district and identifies four issues hindering optimal use of the district. These issues include building use, condition, infrastructure and economic vitality. Suggestions for revitalizing individual buildings and the district as a whole are given, along with potential sources of funding. Typical problems observed in the district, such as damage from water, are more specifically covered. This thesis demonstrates how individual property owners, private organizations or public entities such as the municipal government can use historic preservation to combat urban decay and economic stagnation and spur a rebirth of the Rushville Commercial Historic District by capitalizing on its important built resources. / Department of Architecture

The topic of this creative project is a historic garden created in Muncie, Indiana, in the second decade of the 20th. century. The garden is presently in a state of decay. This study has traced the garden's history, examined its significance and described its present condition in order to outline a restoration proposal. The proposal has aimed at reestablishing the original formal organization of the garden, reconstructing the former planting scheme and suggesting a future use for the property.In addition, this study has briefly discussed the importance and unique difficulties associated with the preservation of historic gardens in comparison with the preservation of buildings and works of art. / Department of Architecture

This creative project has been initiated and researched out of the need for development of historic district guidelines for Anderson, Indiana's wonderous West Eighth Street and West Central Historic Districts. This study included the consultation, involvement and approval of the Anderson City Planning Department, the Anderson Historic Preservation Commission and district residents.In addition, this guideline document has intended to be used as a reference and resource tool in the legal development of district control of regulations and enforcement procedures. The purpose of this project has been to protect the integrity and maintain the character of Anderson's districts while providing education as to the importance and value of preserving our historical treasures. / Department of Urban Planning

The growing realisation of national identity in the face of the threatening envelopment of globalisation has been one major inducement for the increasing practice of conservation of the world's built heritage. This study examines contemporary practices of heritage conservation, analyses their assumptions and theories, and critiques their guiding instruments, the Charters. It adopts a cross-cultural perspective to assess the merits, validity and agency of the most recognised Charters, to discuss their various adaptations, particularly in the Syrian context, and to reveal their Eurocentric focus and indifference to cultural concerns. The study also identifies the inadequacies of the Charters with regard to ethics and morality and proposes a code of ethics for urban conservation. The study focuses on the notion of authenticity that has been an issue of debate since the Nara Conference on Authenticity in 1994. Although arising from, and specifically aimed at, World Heritage Listing, authenticity is recognised as a complex issue dependent on cultural understandings. The study adopts the view that authenticity judgements are linked to a great variety of sources of information, such as form, design, materials, function, traditions, techniques, use, location and spirit that are context-related. It articulates a wide scope for conservation practices at the architectural, urban and archaeological levels, negotiating the breadth and depth of authenticity issues beyond mere fabric and function. The study promotes a dynamic view of authenticity, one that acknowledges socio-cultural change with its inevitable impact on the conditions and conservation of historic environment. The ethical code this study presents places the responsibility on the conservator to ensure the continued conservation and stewardship by the resident society. The study argues that both the Venice and Burra Charters, being the most recognised conservation instruments, are pitched at individual monuments. It critiques the widely held assumption that maintains applicability of these Charters to area and urban conservation. It draws attention to the paradox that while these Charters address the ethics of conservation their scope are limited to individual buildings, whereas the Charters concerned with urban and area conservation, like the Washington Charter, are inadequate with regards to ethical and cultural issues. By articulating a code of ethics for urban conservation, the study attempts to bridge a significant gap. The study draws on, and contextualises its arguments in, the rich and varied archaeological and urban heritage of Syria, a country that is still coming to terms with the practices, implications and problems of heritage conservation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, 2004.

xiii, 207 p. : ill. (some col.), maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Preserving Pacific Northwest historic beach houses in coastal communities can often be a daunting task due to the complexities that arise when combining preservation, planning, development, and climatic hardships. Using Tillamook County's coastline as the study area, this thesis explores the historical development of Tillamook County's structures and the current barriers that exist when trying to preserve them. Historical discussions include the development of transportation routes, recreational amenities, and the evolution of coastal construction materials, along with historic local and regional planning decisions that helped shaped towns along Tillamook County's coastline. Following this historical discussion, current preservation challenges will be discussed as well as the recommendations for preserving and maintaining vernacular coastal beach houses of the Pacific Northwest. / Committee in Charge: Leland Roth, Chair; Donald Peting

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Historical interiors hold within them significance which provides us with cultural identity, as well as historical and aesthetic value, and their physical materials offer us a connection to the past. These interiors and their functions often become obsolete and need to acquire a new function that is more suited to our modern-day society. One such change in function which was identified to be steadily on the rise in Cape Town is the reappropriation of historical interiors into contemporary exhibition venues. It was noted that during this process many of these historical interiors end up as neutral contemporary white boxes, where the whole historical interior is replaced or concealed by a pristine white interior and this leads to a loss of its internal historical aesthetic value. To counter this and to retain the significant aesthetics of these interiors for ourselves and our future generations, heritage legislation offers a certain amount of protection through their respective guidelines and principles during adaptation. However, these guidelines do not offer concrete methods on the responsive adaptation of historical interiors into contemporary exhibition spaces. To address this problem and provide a substitute for the white box, alternative methods for the responsive adaptation of the historical interior into a contemporary exhibition space are highlighted and investigated. Through this investigation, this study aims to provide responsive approaches which interior designers may adopt during adaptation that respect, acknowledge and highlight the significance of the reappropriated space in the design of contemporary exhibition venues.