Masonry Magazine August 1983 Page. 26
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TERRA COTTA
continued from page 7
According to Thomas Sawyer, superintendent of architectural products at Gladding. McBean, as late as the 1940s there may have been more than 30 terra cotta manufacturers in the U.S. "Even though most people associate terra cotta only with the ornamentation that was in vogue around the turn of the century," said Sawyer, "the material continued to be used frequently even into the 1950s for the more box-like skyscrapers that became popular."
In addition, particularly because of its durability and resistance to stains, terra cotta was extremely popular for gas stations, stores and tunnels through the 1940s and 1950s, according to Susan Tindall, president of Architectural Tile & Terra Cotta.
Most of the terra cotta manufacturers went out of business by the 1960s when steel, glass and precast concrete came into vogue in architecture. However, today's strong increase in demand reflects a resurgence of interest in the material on the part of architects and owners for new as well as historic structures.
According to Robert Beiner, director of engineering of the International Masonry Institute, Washington, D.C., "Now that the movement characteristics of highrise buildings are more fully understood, there is greater potential than ever for terra cotta to contribute color, beauty, durability and fire-safety to modern structures. To assure the best quality, only skilled and experienced craftsmen and contractors should perform the new or restored terra cotta construction."
In terms of cost, terra cotta produced today can be competitive with other building materials, according to Thomas Sawyer. "Even when new terra cotta decorations must be custom-made for a restoration project," he said, "owners can economize through the tax advantages which apply to designated historic landmarks."
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READING RESTORATION
continued from page 8
BAC Local 21 members catalogued, cleaned and restored the terra cotta, brick and marble from the front of the flamboyant Beaux Arts structure, which was built in 1912, before reassembling and weatherproofing the old facade at its new location. Special attention was given to the facades of other nearby buildings, to preserve their turn-of-the-century style.
Another part of Project Keystone-a remarkable demonstration of expertise and craftsmanship is a new 15- by 60-ft. bas-relief sculpture entitled "Reflections," depicting cultural and economic stages in the history of southeastern Pennsylvania. Designed by Mara Smith, the sculpture incorporates more than 6,000 brick which were individually sculpted "in the green." They were then coded, fired and transported to the site for installation by BAC Local 21 bricklayers.
According to mason contractor Kenneth Eshbach, "Reading has always been a 'masonry town, with a rich variety of masonry architecture. Project Keystone has not only helped to preserve that tradition, it also helped to bring back commerce and people to the heart of the city."
1983 MCAA
Fall Executive Board Meeting
Marriott's Marco Beach Resort
Marco Island, Florida October 2-6.
26 MASONRY-JULY/AUGUST, 1983