In 2014, the Kohler Foundation was approached by the Pasaquan Preservation Society‘s board to help preserve Pasaquan. The preservation of Pasaquan took about two and a half years with teams from International Artifacts (structure), Parma Conservation (surfaces), Columbus State University (interns, documentation), and local tradespeople.
Pasaquan was officially given to Columbus State University in 2016.
Role: Object conservator, research, site prep, structure rebuild, pattern restoration and replication, surface treatments, tinwork facilitator, documentation, outreach.
Surface prepration involved removing loose paint, consolidating surfaces, and prepping for the surface crew Damaged surfaces were decconstructed piece-by-piece, with labeling and mapping of each surface for reassembly after stabalization Sculptural elements were cleaned, assessed, and repaired with elastomeric, cementitious, or two-part materials as appropriateCleaned walls revealed areas of loss to be repaired
Some stabalization and moving of structures required slow, careful tension and release as materials cured
Mapping of origiinal tinwork floor before repair or replacement on the Pagoda deckTinwork was hand-hammered utilizing Eddie Martin’s original dapping blockErika specialized in mapping floors, creating color breakdowns of original patterns for replicationFloor patterns, materials, and notes directed interior work
Original asbestos flooring was replaced with friendlier options, color matched, and placed according to mapped patternsComplexity of site necessitated multiple crews and creative problem solving