Ilene
Sorry we didn't get time to catch up except in passing. I thoroughly
enjoyed APT San Juan, but seem to have spent most of my time talking or
drinking (the mojitos were pretty good). I too enjoyed seeing a few
BP'ers. Did manage to have dinner and a few drinks with Pyrate.
Finally saw the beach for a few hours after the conference was over, but
combined it with a conversation with the new President.
As somebody who sits on the sidelines on the lime question, I think
you're closer to the truth than many may want to admit.
Lime seems to me to be something that many people get passionately
opinionated about what is right and what is wrong. Yet it seems to me
that it is a material that was used in a myriad of ways, many of which
were subtle variations on the documented methods, adopted because of
lack of materials or money or time.
I don't think there is a single right answer, nor will there ever be.
The chemistry of lime is such that reconstruction of the original is
problematic, even with expensive analytical techniques. We can
approximate, but that is all. And even if we knew what they did
exactly, we probably couldn't reproduce it effectively because of
changes in the pace we work and the raw materials we have to work with
(not to mention the tools we use).
Let's celebrate the plurality of lime, the multiple ways it was used,
and can still be used today. Let's enjoy the explorations, but remember
that they are just that - explorations. Let's catalogue the variations
on the multiple themes, and draw wisdom for the future from the
successes and failures of the past.
Cheers
David West
Executive Director
internationalconservationservices
T: +61 (2) 9417 3311
M: +61 (411) 692 696
conservation&managementofculturalmaterial
-----Original Message-----
From: The listserv that doubts.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ilene R.
Tyler
Sent: Sunday, 11 November 2007 11:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [BP] APT San Juan
As a fellow participant, I confirm that Michael asked lots of questions
and seemed to enjoy the workshops and the San Juan climate. His summary
of "the point" is mine as well, but he expresses it so well that I won't
dare to follow. My simpler conclusion is that it may be just fine to
continue as I have been, using hydrated lime, some Portland cement, and
local aggregates as an appropriate mortar for most of my Michigan
projects. We find no brick dust or oyster shells here. I may need to
further consider our lime sources, which I think are generally from
locally quarried and burned limestone, so the Portland adds the
pozzalanic characteristic to a modern hydrated lime. I'm still trying to
summarize my notes. APT was good overall, wonderful to see old friends,
including a few from BP.
Ilene R. Tyler, FAIA
QUINN EVANS | ARCHITECTS
219 1/2 N. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
ph: 734 663-5888
fx: 734 663-5044
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