ASCHB Evening lecture: Historic fibrous plaster in the UK

Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop

Description

Venue: THE GALLERY, 77 Cowcross Street EC1M 6EJ in-person, or on Zoom online.

Summary
Fibrous plaster, a composite material traditionally consisting of gypsum plaster and hessian fibre reinforcement. It has been used extensively as a ceiling and decorative material in theatres, museums and other grand civic and private residences since 1856. The partial collapse of the Apollo Theatre, London, in 2013 highlighted the importance of effective surveying and conservation of fibrous plaster ceilings, which are typically suspended from structural members with fibrous plaster wadding ties. Historic England began working with the University of Bath investigating fibrous plaster in 2018, and in 2022 funding was awarded from the Leverhulme Trust to undertake a 36-month project to investigate the history and properties of fibrous plaster. This talk will provide an overview of research undertaken over the past 6 years. It will cover the history, materials, degradation, repair methods, and testing of fibrous plaster.
Period7 Nov 2024
Held atAssociation for studies in the conservation of historic buildings (ASCHB), UK United Kingdom
Degree of RecognitionInternational

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