APT Technical Committee - Materials presents another Materials Talk!
May 10, 2022 at 2:00pm EST

Architectural plywood: history and preservation considerations

Plywood is one of the most widely used building materials of the postwar era. Its development dates to the first decades of the twentieth century with innovations in moisture-resistant glues and mill technologies. It paved the way for the mass-production of affordable houses and new approaches to modern high-end architecture. Exterior plywood was a siding of choice for Pacific Northwest designers including John Yeon and Pietro Belluschi, and was common in mid-century residential designs and NPS and Forest Service structures.
 
Plywood is in a declining stage of its product life cycle as it is replaced by reconstituted wood panels such as OSB. But with a more then century-long history, the material's manufacturing record, characteristics, applications, and emerging conservation issues remain understudied. This presentation addresses the need for broader recognition of plywood significance in historic structures, and suggests opportunities for systematic interdisciplinary research to expand existing knowledge on material characteristics to consider when selecting appropriate preservation treatments.

Presenters:
Suzana Radivojevic, Ph.D., is a Wood Scientist with a private practice Ligno Logic, specializing in investigation and treatment of wood-based materials in cultural heritage and contemporary structures. Radivojevic is an Adjunct Instructor in the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Oregon. Her recent research focuses on technological history, characterization, and preservation of modern wood products in 20th century architecture. She holds a Ph.D. in Wood Science from the University of Toronto, a B.Sc.F.E. in Wood Technology and Engineering from the University of Belgrade, and has completed ICCROM course "Wooden Architecture Conservation and Restoration". Radivojevic is an expert member of the ICOMOS International Wood Committee (IIWC).

Chad Randl is the Art DeMuro Assistant Professor in the Historic Preservation program at the University of Oregon. He is author of the books A-Frame and Revolving Architecture. His research exploring cultures of building and inhabitation has appeared in Buildings & Landscapes, The Senses and Society, and the edited volume Archi.Pop. He is co-author, with Suzana Radivojevic, of the 2021 APT Bulletin article “Plywood in Twentieth Century Built Heritage.”

1 AIA CES/1 PDH

Materials Talks are scheduled for one hour with a presentation followed by Q&A.

Materials Talks Committee co-chairs:
Kelly Ciociola
Judy Jacob
Becky Wong

Registration via Zoom