DETERIORATION, HARM AND CONSERVATION OF BUILDING PLASTICS HERITAGE

Authors

  • Robert Loader

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52200/docomomo.66.10

Keywords:

GRP; United Kingdom; heritage listing; documentation; prototype, GRP, United Kingdom, heritage listing, documentation, prototype

Abstract

From the 1950s to 1970s a handful of architects and designers developed the use of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) for external building skins that expressed the nature and possibilities of the material. External panels were designed as non-structural interchangeable cladding and also as structural folded plates and shells.
Many GRP buildings were designed as temporary structures and have long since disappeared. Some have survived and, in England, a few have been recognised with listed status for their architectural quality. At about fifty years of age the condition of polymeric components, such as external panels, fixings and joints, is beginning to present new problems in conservation. The case studies in this paper indicate that early estimates for the design life of GRP buildings and components have been surpassed, and that a range of approaches is available and necessary for their conservation.
Innovative plastic buildings and components also remain at risk of damage and demolition from a lack of awareness of their existence and value by heritage protection bodies.

How to Cite

Loader, R. (2022). DETERIORATION, HARM AND CONSERVATION OF BUILDING PLASTICS HERITAGE. Docomomo Journal, (66), 84–93. https://doi.org/10.52200/docomomo.66.10

Published

2022-12-12

Issue

No. 66 (2022): Modern Plastic Heritage

Section

Conservation Issues

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Robert Loader

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Plaudit

Author Biography

Robert Loader

Robert Loader (Italy, 1960) Liverpool University (BA, BArch) and University College London (MSc, History of Modern Architecture). Robert Loader is an architect based in London with extensive experience in repairing and upgrading historic buildings and neighbourhoods. Current research focusses on the materials and conservation of building facade components developed in the twentieth century. He is Secretary of docomomo UK and Chair of the Docomomo International Specialist Committee on Technology.

References

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LEGGATT, Alec, GRP and buildings, London, Butterworths, 1984.MAKOWSKI, Z.S., “Structural Plastics in Europe”, Arts & Architecture, August 1966, pp. 20-30

MAKOWSKI, Z.S., “Plastic Structures of R. Piano”, System Building and Design, February 1969, pp. 37-54