In a message dated 3/18/99 11:11:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

> Or maybe it's just that it doesn't look like much of anything else.

It looks like money to me -- 1) moisture problems in buildings and 2) finding
creative ways to repair the existing built environment. If we watch EFS as it
spreads in our environment we can wonder as to parallels with the past
dispersal of asbestos and lead in building materials. I'm not sure if it will
ever lead to abatement, but repairing this stuff is going to be a 1st class
headache.

Looked to me as if Silicon Graphics new headquarters is 100% EFS.

There may be appropriate uses for the EFS, but I suspect that the excess of
designing with a material that can assume many shapes, along with the penchant
of new design to ignore the experiences of building forensics, will in short
enough time lead to some unique problems.

Eventually one of these structures will have a culture shaking event
associated with it and will then require preservation.

Brings to mind consideration of what happens when HP perspective of dealing
with structures is applied to the problems of new structures. New structures
seem to rarely be designed for adequate maintenance, let alone with
consideration of historic preservation. If you think you have trouble finding
a match for historic brick, try finding a match for an out-of-production
masonry unit produced within the last 10 years. As flexibility in variety of
materials increases, coupled with computerized production, does the
opportunity of future replication and cost decrease? Or do we eventually reach
a point where high custom short-run production becomes generally economically
feasible?

"Please send us 36 custom units of the blue glazed dimpled Wattenburg as per
the enclosed sample. I know Friday is short notice, but we need these for
installation on Monday morning. Please expedite and remember we have a tight
budget."

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