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Mies van der Rohe models RIBA Mies van der Rohe & James Stirling: Circling the Square Exhibition

Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Architectural Model Conservation and Restoration - Mies van der Rohe & James Stirling: Circling the Square Exhibition

good lighting design can create drama, define, accentuate & enrich on so many different levels.Conservation and Restoration of Architects Models

 

Museum lighting design must embrace aesthetics, function, flexibility, conservation & energy efficiencyMies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse Conservation and Restoration

 

effective graphic design needs to communicate, influence, relate, engage, provoke, inspire, excite, relax and educate. Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Architectural Model Conservation and Restoration

 

our passion and attention to detail generate engaging exhibition design solutions Mies van der Rohe Mansion Models Conservation and Restoration
The models were skilfully restored with a sympathetic eye for the passage of time & their individual journeys

Mies van der Rohe
Mansion House Square Models
Model Base Conservation & Restoration

The restoration & conservation works began with the 1:96 scale Mansion House Square model base, which had not been protected or stored in a controlled environment.

The model base had been exposed for many years to the extremes of Chicago’s dramatic changes in temperature and humidity between the winter and summer months. Changes in the environment meant that the different construction materials of hardboard, plywood and acrylic all absorbed, expanded and contracted at different rates. These powerful forces start to make the adhesives and materials work against each other until the weakest material fails. This can be seen (by clicking the image below) where cracks have appeared across the Mansion House Square.

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Architectural Models

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Architectural Models damaged due to changes in temperature & humidity resulting in a cracked & stained square.
Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square Model base restoration completed.
Mies van der Rohe Mansion House Square model required the removal of unsightly solvent based adhesives
Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square reception & podium areas fully cleaned & conserved for RIBA exhibition
Mies van der Rohe designed planter areas for Mansion House Square

The rest of the model was extremely dirty with loose pavements, old yellowing glues and several large stains on the square. Initially the models were moved into the RIBA's controlled storage. This allow the models construction materials to stabilise and return to their normal dimensions when originally constructed around 70F or 21C.

After several days the model base was closely inspected, photographed and any loose items bagged and labelled. This was followed by a soft brushing whilst using a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter and a separate catch all micro filter.  

Removing the square wasn't a viable option due to the high possibility of complete loss and cost of replacement. This would have resulted in losing a large section of the models 1980’s originality.

Mies van der Rohe model base brushed, vacuumed then cleaned

Mies van der Rohe Designed - Mansion House Square Podium - Cleaning and removal of old adhesives.

Mies van der Rohe model pavements (sidewalks) had become detached due to moisture
Mies van der Rohe model pavements (sidewalks) positioned for replacement
Farnsworth House designer Mies van der Rohe model.
Mies van der Rohe loved this foliage material for trees and planting so it was faithfully replicated

Consequently it was important to establish what had caused the large stains found on the square and if it was possible to remove or reduce their appearance. Under intense light and magnification the stained areas were examined. This revealed that the stain were an exact match for the medium density packing foam (polyester-based, open cell polyurethane foam) used to originally pack all of the architectural models. Once the packing came in contact with the damp it acted like a sponge retaining moisture. When warmer and dryer conditions returned, the water evaporated leaving a chalky white residue.

Mies van der Rohe designed Mansion House Square

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square: Various palate knives use to slip adhesive under loose sections of the podium.

The model conservator carried out tests to the surface and established that a medium stiff brushing with a static brush slightly improved their appearance. It was agreed with the RIBA to continue this approach over a larger area to see if it would improve it further. Then a carefully selected area was dab tested with cotton buds and various solutions to explore which might best improve the stains appearance.

These results suggested washing the surface with a mild detergent (containing no sodium chloride) followed by rinsing with distilled water. The finish was so encouraging that a large area was then treated. With the use of a further micro non-abrasive cleaners, on more stubborn areas, the stains were completely removed and the model base returned to 90% of its original new condition.

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: Models not seen for 30 years to be displayed at RIBA exhibition

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


The solvent based adhesives (rubber based synthetic resin in hydrocarbon blend) used to apply many of the model components, were greatly affected by moisture. These adhesives were commonly used in model making from around the 1950’s to present day as they provide a fast and strong bond to many different materials. With their low resistance to moisture, cold and high temperatures the adhesives lost their cohesive bonds. This process happened across the model and especially on the raised podium level and pavements.

Therefore, before any model components could be reinstated it was necessary to completely remove all the old and brittle adhesives. Finally all model items were painstakingly replaced using exactly the same products as originally used at the time of construction.


Mies van der Rohe
Models Conservation & Restoration Articles

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

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

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse - Part 4 >>

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 Model Articles

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

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

Mies van der Rohe - Mansion House Square Shopping Concourse - Part 4 >>

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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