PRES 6210 | Architectural Conservation Lab
Professor Michael Shoriak
This project represents the final submission for the Architectural Conservation Lab, a course focused on the diagnostic study and preservation of historic building materials. Through case studies across Louisiana and Barbados, I analyzed five key materials—stone, earthen (bousillage), wood, brick, and terracotta—by documenting deterioration patterns and identifying traditional construction techniques. Each site, including the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans and the Sorapuru House in Edgard, offered a distinct lens into regional preservation challenges shaped by climate, material behavior, and historic context.
Over the semester, I completed six laboratory investigations designed to build technical proficiency in conservation diagnostics. These included bulk sample identification under a stereomicroscope, porosity and density analysis using Archimedes’ method, water permeability testing with RILEM tubes, capillary action studies on handmade vs. machine-made brick, and sieve-based grain classification of historic mortars. These exercises provided a scientific understanding of material performance and deterioration mechanisms relevant to masonry systems.
For the final, I produced a comprehensive conditions assessment and preservation strategy for the terra cotta façade of the Orpheum Theater. Referencing National Park Service Preservation Briefs and ASTM standards, I developed a treatment plan addressing cleaning methods, biological growth removal, mortar compatibility, repointing, and surface repair protocols. I also created photogrammetric ortho projections and performed detailed delineations in AutoCAD to document and visualize areas of surface loss, cracking, and material degradation. This graphic and technical analysis served as the foundation for a full restoration specification aligned with national best practices.
The combined lab and fieldwork formed a rigorous introduction to conservation science, bridging theoretical knowledge with applied techniques. The experience built a working methodology for diagnosing historic materials and designing interventions rooted in ethics, compatibility, and long-term preservation outcomes.
