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Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse RIBA Restoration & Conservation

RIBA Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Architectural Model Conservation and Restoration

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RIBA Mies van der Rohe Concourse Model
Restoration & Conservation

The Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse architectural model @ 1:50 scale is truly unique with unparalleled levels of detail and finishes. It was the third and most detailed in the series of Mansion House Square presentation models.

Although hidden away for over 30 years, this remains one of the most impressive architectural models ever produced. However all this changed when the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) decided to display these iconic architectural models in a new exciting exhibition named:

“Mies van der Rohe and James Stirling: Circling the Square”

 

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse (1:50 Scale) Model Restoration & Conservation Completed.


RIBA - Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse (1:50 Scale) Model Restoration & Conservation Completed.


The shopping concourse model was produced in the early part of the 1980’s. The model helped to explain Mies van der Rohe's architectural solution for resolving the warren of connecting tunnels that were under the site and linked to Bank Underground station.

The shopping course model had a secondary function. Its size allowed it to be used as a marketing tool for potential occupiers or supporters of the scheme to appreciate Mies's elegant design philosophy "less is more".

As each potential occupier (for example: Dunhill) showed interest or committed to take a retail space in the new shopping concourse. Our brief as model makers for the project was to visit interested parties existing shops. During these site visits we would photograph and record detailing which would then be painstakingly reproduced in miniature detail to be included in the model.

This included hand crafted sterling silver coffee & tea pots, coach clocks, wrist watches, pipes, ties and even real diamonds can be viewed, along with 150 figures. Each of these figures has its own unique identity; can you spot the Scotsman in a tartan kilt? The true level of detail can only really be appreciated under high magnification or in photographs using a macro lens.  

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Architectural Model (1:50 Scale) Mappin & Webb Jewellery Restoration & Conservation RIBA Exhibition.

RIBA - Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Architectural Model (1:50 Scale) Restoration & Conservation of Mappin & Webb Jewellery .

Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square ConcourseModel Restoration for the RIBA exhibition.
Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Shopping Concourse model @ RIBA Exhibition.
Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse Model Restoration for RIBA exhibition
Mies van der Rohe designed Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse

Fortunately for its preservation the model was designed with a clear 6mm acrylic (Perspex) sheet recessed and fitted accurately between the four teak sides. With the acrylic resting on top of the model, it created an almost air tight seal with the painted surface below. The fitting of the acrylic sheet consequently locked in all the tiny model parts which were loose or unattached.
Therefore almost every model component was available for reinstatement when the conservation and restoration process was finalised. Nevertheless the acrylic sheet could not stop moisture in the form of condensation from affecting the models micro environment. This in turn caused considerable visual damage.

The three Mies models needed to be constructed to incredibly tight tolerances. New production methodologies were introduced to permit designs to accurately line up with Mies van der Rohe architectural detailing. This is clearly seen on the concourse model which has 90 sliding shop front doors with 7 width variations that all exactly line up with the concourse grid.

Initially RIBA moved the concourse model into controlled conditions to allow its materials to stabilise. The protective acrylic sheet was removed and the model closely inspected, photographed with loose items bagged and labelled. This was followed by a soft brushing whilst vacuuming. A micro-filter catch all was fitted over the vacuum cleaners hose end to catch any small items previously missed.

Mies van der Rohe Designed - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse Model

Mies van der Rohe Designed - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse Model - Green Man Bar - Dry Cleaning to Remove Ingrained Dirt Particles.

Mies van der Rohe incredible detailing of shopping concourse model on display at the RIBA exhibition
Mies van der Rohe model restoration for the RIBA Exhibition
Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square shopping concourse model sterling silver coffee pots, coach clocks.
Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square shopping concourse model – retail floor plates were restored safely.

The concourse models floor plates and dividing walls could be individually removed and updated if a potential tenant decided to take additional space.  This proved useful for conservation and restoration where shops had suffered moisture and temperature change damage.

There was clear evidence across the whole model that objects held using vinyl backed double sided tape had moved from their original locations and then re-attached in the wrong position. With high humidity and temperatures the adhesives on the tape became unstable (slippery). The weight of the object plus the effects of gravity caused the objects to slide, then once the model cooled the adhesive re-attached themselves.  

In some areas this left unsightly adhesive stains on wood veneered walls around the shopping concourse. These marks were removed without leaving any solution or solvent staining to the wood surfaces. Three different varieties of wood veneer were used in the model nevertheless all blemishes were successfully removed using a variety of conservation solvents and techniques.
 

Completed restoration of Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square shopping concourse model for the RIBA

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Model: Removable Floor Plates Allow for the Removal & Reinstatement of Tailors Cloth Carpeting.

The cloth finishes (carpeting) had suffered seriously from this movement. As a result a solution had to be found so the original cloth could be reused. Firstly dividing walls and columns, which locked the floor plates in position, were removed. Next, each of the affected floor plate were warmed until the adhesives on the double sided tape were reactivated and softened. The cloth was then careful peeled off the adhesive backing. Afterwards the old tape and residue were removed before new tape was re-laid. Finally the cloth was careful re-laid on the floor plate surface to line up perfectly with pre-existing holes and pressed firmly in position before it was reinstated.

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square: Models not seen for 30 years to be displayed at RIBA exhibition: 

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square: Shopping Course Models not seen for 30 years to be displayed at RIBA exhibition“Mies van der Rohe and James Stirling: Circling the Square”.

Almost all 90 shop front doors had came out of their guide channels leading to further sections of the model being damaged. At some point the doors were taped to each other in an attempt to hold them in position and speed up setting-up. Although the tape used was a low tack 3M product, it had over the years, turned brittle. Consequently, it left a hard residue across the acrylic glazing. This residue was removed and the acrylic doors were cleaned with an anti-static solution.

The RIBA curatorial team managed to source two drawings to help assist with the doors reinstatement. Regrettably these only hinted at how the positioning of the doors might have worked. For this reason the model conservator took very accurate concourse grid measurements. These dimensions allowed calculations to be made, forming door groupings that lined up perfectly with the concourse grid layout.

Finally the protective acrylic sheet was polished and then cleaned with anti-static solution. After which it was replaced leaving the mies shopping concourse model ready for display @ the RIBA exhibition.

Mansion House Square Models
Restoration & Conservation Articles

History of the Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square - Part 1 >>

Mansion House Square Model Restoration & Conservation - Part 2 >>

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Tower - Part 3 >>

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Existing Buildings - Part 5 >>

Mies van der Rohe - Architectural Model Trees - Part 6 >>

James Stirling No 1 Poultry City of London Model - Part 7 >>

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Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Model Restoration Articles

History of the Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square - Part 1 >>

Mansion House Square Model Restoration & Conservation - Part 2 >>

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Tower - Part 3 >>

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Existing Buildings - Part 5 >>

Mies van der Rohe - Architectural Model Trees - Part 6 >>

James Stirling No 1 Poultry City of London Model - Part 7 >>

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