Cast Stone Patching, Restoration and Repair

Cast Stone (sometimes labled 'PreCast') is the cost-effective substitute for hand-carved natural stone developed at the beginning of the 20th c. As Portland cement became more available towards the end of the 19th century, its use as an alternative decorative building material became more prevalent. Given California's major surviving buildings date from after 1900, it is no surprise that there are multiple examples of this building format for our review.

For more information on any of the following items, click linked text or image below.

		Wilshire Temple Rose Window Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California Selective Removal, Restoration, and Structural Upgrade for a 24 foot diameter Stained Glass Window and Cast Stone Framework Removal and Reinstallation of a complex installation like this requires precision and knowledge of materials.

		Sacred Heart Chapel - LMU Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California Decorative Cast Stone Preservation, with Removal, Repair, Patching, and Reinstallation Sacred Heart Chapel and Bell Tower had several locations where original pre-cast decorative elements needed intervention and preservation

		First Methodist Church - Olvera St. Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California Selective removal, restoration, and reinstallation of a decorative cast stone entry surround. The church was declared unsafe when decorative masonry components began falling off the facade. As with other older structures in this condition, scaffolding was erected to protect pedestrians passing below.

		Huntington Library and Museum San Marino, L.A., California Repairs to the Decorative Cast Stone, Limestone and Marble Exterior Facade Patching and repairs to the historic cast stone and stucco facade of the Huntington Gallery were performed using proprietary repair mortars and rendering compounds

		Hollyhock House Los Angeles, L.A., California Careful Selective Removal and Reinstallation of Decorative Cast Stone; Restoration of Concrete The Hollyhock House is Mr. Wright's earliest effort at residential housing design in Los Angeles. Phase I of this long-term restoration involved the removal, restoration, and reinstallation of over 800 pieces of decorative cast stone from the parapet/roof area.

		Museum of Art - Balboa Park San Diego, SD County, California Replication and Replacement of an Existing Historic Decorative Cast Stone Veneer using Moldmaking, Casting, and Restoration Techniques. Mild steel reinforcement placed within the cast stone matrix for strength during the original manufacturing process ultiimately resulted in the stress and failure of much of the facade material, posing a visually unsatisfying appearance as well as a life-safety hazard.

		William Penn Building Los Angeles, L.A., California Stabilization of Deteriorating Cast Stone Decorative Elements using Patching and Rendering Compounds. A fatal flaw in the original mix design contributed to the uniform decay of all cast stone elements, and careful stabilization and rendering were required to preserve these important elements.

		Carnegie Observatories - Hunt Building Pasadena, L.A., California Preservation of the Cast Stone Decorative Trim on this Myron Hunt Structure The Hunt Building of the Carnegie Observatories was in need of stabilization of decorative cast stone trim due to previous mistreatment.