Creator: Shane Casey and Robert Turner
Date: 2010
Introduction: This article discusses a new process for carefully removing large, heavy, decorative tiled panels from masonry walls, a process which was adapted from one previously developed for the removal of ‘signature panels’ from plastered walls due for demolition. The technique was applied on an ‘industrial’ scale, over a relatively short time frame, to 68 panels. It involved use of specialist cutting and lifting machinery, co-ordination of a number of large team of conservators, and strict adherence to architects’ and building contractors’ timetables.
Late in 2001, Eura Conservation was asked to look at the possibility of saving some signature panels from the shortly-to-be-demolished Manchester Free Trade Hall (FTH). The signatures were in pencil on rendered plaster and were signed by some of the musicians who had appeared in the hall since its post-war rebuild in the early 1950s. A successful technique was developed and the panels are now on display in the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, built on the site of the old FTH. In 2009 Eura was asked if the technique could be modified for use in another project, involving the safe removal of ceramic tile panels from a hospital. The answer was ‘probably yes’, although some development work would be required.
Reference: Shane Casey and Robert Turner 2010, ‘A Novel Technique for the Conservation of Large Tiled Panels’, Big Stuff 2010
DOI Link:
| Casey, Shane, & Turner, Robert. (2010). A Novel Technique for the Conservation of Large Tiled Panels. Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4086563 |
