Rowhouse Façade Adaptations - Stucco & Cementitious Overlay Systems

presented by: Charles DiSanto, RA

Rowhouse Facade Adaptations - Stucco & Cementitious Overlay Systems

Stucco in its various permutations has long been utilized to provide a protective or decorative "skin" to structures throught the world. This talk will examine the history of that material and in particular its use on Philadelphia rowhouses over the last 2 centuries,  from traditional practice to the current situation.  Related cementitious overlay systems such as Formstone,  Permastone and Garden State Brickface will be included in the survey, along with the development and popularity of so-called "synthetic " stucco. The talk will consider not just the performance characteristics and restoration challenges of the various systems,  but also the aestheitc and social context that led to their specific selection over the time period in question.