Historic Resources: Mid-Century Modernist Concrete Facades

The Boston area has a particularly rich legacy of “heroic,” architecturally-significant mid-century modernist concrete buildings. Built primarily in the 1960’s, these buildings are now at the age when we have begun to regard them as historic, but they’re also at an age where they now exhibit deterioration from a half century of exposure to the elements.

Drawing from their extensive experience leading investigation and rehabilitation efforts on concrete facades designed by Paul Rudolph, Josep Lluis Sert, Eero Saarinen, IM Pei, Louis Kahn, and Le Corbusier, the speakers will describe the various maladies and deterioration mechanisms that can befall exposed concrete, evaluate the pros and cons of different options, and describe approaches and procedures for the ever-challenging task of matching the color and texture of exposed weathered concrete.

Coffee and bagels will be provided. Please be sure to RSVP in advance if you plan to attend, or even if you might attend, so your name will be on the guest list with security in the lobby.