"Gone to Pot? Tackling the restoration of a large terra cotta Rose Window after 100 years of coastal weathering and earthquakes”

John Fidler will describe and explain systemic issues and logistical challenges surrounding the repair and restoration of brick and terra cotta at the 1915 First Congregational Church of Long Beach with special focus on a large, intricate Rose Window. The local city landmark, cited in the National Register of Historic Places, has suffered long-term steel corrosion and seismic damage, and was twice before structurally repaired in innovative ways: but previous engineers and architects failed to address its terra cotta problems. The lecture will summarize recent interesting discoveries, and technical design and craft achievements that have enabled the historic Italian Romanesque church to remain in its original use.

Delegates will learn about:

• West Coast church building practices in the early years of the 20^th century
• Documentation gaps in archives and their consequences
• Previous pioneering seismic strengthening of the steel-framed masonry church
• Field discoveries and remedial actions taken
• Logistical challenges
• Design and procurement of new matching terra cotta
• Dismantling and reconstruction
• Lessons for design, specification and construction administration.

 Join us on Wednesday, January 13th at 4.30pm PST.

Registration is free at www.wcapt.org!