About the Artful Use of Stucco

Stucco is a mortar mixture that is commonly used as an exterior siding application on houses. Historically it has been used as a sculpting medium for architectural ornamentation. Stucco can be made by mixing sand and lime with water and various other ingredients, most often cement. Like frosting on a cracked layer cake, a good layer of stucco can enrich a once-shabby exterior. The plaster-like material, however, has many decorative uses and is found throughout the world. For centuries stucco has been used not only in Middle Eastern mosques, but also as ornate Rococo ornamentation in Bavarian pilgrimage churches. The Stucco Wall Stucco is more than a thin veneer but it is not a building material—a stucco wall is not structurally made of stucco. Stucco is the finish applied to the wall. Usually, wooden walls are covered with tar paper and chicken wire or galvanized metal screening called casing bead. Interior walls may have wooden laths. This framework is then covered with layers of stucco mixture. The first layer is called a scratch coat, and then a brown coat is applied to the dried scratch coat. The tinted finish coat is the surface everyone sees. For masonry walls, including damaged brick and concrete block that a homeowner wishes to hide, preparation is easier. A bonding agent is usually brushed on, and then the stucco mixture is applied directly to the power-washed and prepared masonry surface. How to repair stucco? Historic preservationists have written extensively on the topic in Preservation Brief 22. Definitions of Stucco Stucco is often defined by both how it is made and where (and how) it is applied. Historic preservationists in Great Britain describe a common stucco as a combination of lime, sand, and hair—with the hair long, strong, and free of dirt and grease, from the horse or ox. A 1976 Time-Life home repair book describes stucco as mortar containing hydrated lime and asbestos—probably not a recommended additive today. The 1980 Penguin Dictionary of Architecture simply describes stucco as Plasterwork usually rendered very smooth or modeled as in stucco ceilings. The Dictionary of Architecture and Construction covers all bases: stucco 1. An exterior finish, usually textured; composed of portland cement, lime, and sand, which are mixed with water. 2. A fine plaster used for decorative work or moldings. 3. Simulated stucco containing other materials, such as epoxy as a binder. 4. A partially or fully calcined gypsum that has not yet been processed into a finished product. Decorative Stucco Although stucco-sided homes became popular in twentieth-century America, the concept of using stucco mixtures in architecture goes back to ancient times. Wall frescoes by ancient Greeks and Romans were painted on fine-grained hard plaster surfaces made of gypsum, marble dust, and glue. This marble dust compound could be molded into decorative shapes, polished to a sheen, or painted. Artists like Giacomo Serpotta became stucco masters, incorporating figures into the architecture, like the male nude sitting on a window cornice in the Oratory of the Rosary in Saint Lorenzo in Sicily, Italy. Stucco techniques were elaborated by the Italians during the Renaissance and the artistry spread throughout Europe. German craftsmen like Dominikus Zimmermann took stucco designs to new artistic levels with elaborate church interiors, such as The Wieskirche in Bavaria. The exterior of this pilgrimage church is truly Zimmermanns Deception. The simplicity of the walls on the outside belies the extravagant interior ornamentation. About Synthetic Stucco Many homes built after the 1950s use a variety of synthetic materials that resemble stucco. Mock stucco siding is often composed of foam insulation board or cement panels secured to the walls. Although synthetic stucco may look authentic, real stucco tends to be heavier. Walls made of genuine stucco sound solid when tapped and will be less likely to suffer damage from a hard blow. Also, genuine stucco holds up well in wet conditions. Although it is porous and will absorb moisture, genuine stucco will dry easily, without damage to the structure—especially when it is installed with weep screeds. One type of synthetic stucco, known as EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems), has long been associated with moisture problems. The underlying wood on EIFS-sided homes tended to suffer rot damage. A simple Web search for stucco lawsuit reveals plenty of problems up and down the East coast beginning in the 1990s. Experts say stucco can be done right, or it can be done quickly, reported Floridas 10NEWS-TV. And when builders are trying to put homes up as fast - or as cheap - as possible, they often choose the latter. Other types of synthetic stucco are durable, and the AIAs magazine, Architect, reports that building codes and commercial products have changed in the past few years. Its always wise to have a professional inspection before purchasing a stucco-sided home. Examples of Use Stucco siding is most often found on Mission Revival style and Spanish and Mediterranean style homes. When traveling to southern US environs, notice that concrete block is often used for sturdy, wind-resistant, energy-efficient homes and public buildings like schools and town halls. Many times these blocks are finished with only a hearty paint, but a coating of stucco is said to increase the value (and status) of these concrete block homes. Theres even an abbreviation for the practice—CBS for concrete block and stucco. When visiting the Art Deco buildings throughout Miami Beach, Florida, note that most are stucco over block. Weve been told that developers who insist on a stucco finish on wood frame structures end up having a heap of moisture problems. But not all stucco problems are the same. A wall made of straw bale will have different needs than concrete block or timber frame construction. Consulting a stucco restoration specialist who may know nothing about straw bale construction might be a mistake. Stucco recipes are not one size fits all. Mixtures are many. Having said all that, you can buy premixed and pre-formulated stucco. Both DAP and Quikrete sell bags and buckets of the mixture at big box stores and even on Amazon.com. Other companies, such as Liquitex, supply stucco mixtures for artists. Resources and Further Reading Revisiting EIFS, the Once-Maligned Cladding System that May Help Architects Meet New Energy Codes by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, Architect, August 5, 2013Floridas billion-dollar stucco problem by Noah Pransky, WTSP,  10NEWS-TV, June 24, 2015The Stucco Book: The Basics by Herb Nordmeyer, 2012Exterior Stucco by Ian Constantinides and Lynne Humphries, The Building Conservation Directory, 2003 at buildingconservation.com [accessed February 12, 2016]Time-Life books, Home Repair and Improvement, 1976, Masonry, Index/Glossary, p. 127The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture, John Fleming, Hugh Honour, Midolaus Pevner, 3rd edition, 1980, p. 313Dictionary of Architecture and Construction, Cyril M. Harris, ed., McGraw- Hill, 1975, pp. 482-483

African Americans And The New State Constitution - 1836 Words

In Birmingham, Alabama between 1957 and 1962 seventeen black churches and homes had been bombed, racial tension continued to grow, and more and more African Americans were being killed. Although the population of Birmingham was 40% African American, there seemed little hope for a political solution to the racial divide; of 80,000 registered voters, only 10,000 were black due to a barrier that was placed on the new state constitution of Alabama. One of these barriers was an annual poll tax that had to pay for two years before the new election season. African Americans in Mississippi could barely afford the necessities in order to live such as food, clothes, and a roof over their head. African Americans were the poorest part of Mississippi’s population. The other barrier that was placed in the new state constitution was a literacy test. It required a person seeking to register to vote to read a section of the state constitution and explain it to the county clerk, a white man, w ho processed voter registrations. This new law was setup for African Americans to fail. Along with many other civil rights leaders and members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. Martin Luther King traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to lead and participate in several boycotts, marches, and picketing leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King’s arrest. While being incarcerated, Dr. King wrote an open letter more known as The â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†. In this letter, King highlights manyShow MoreRelatedThe Constitution And The American Constitution1141 Words   |  5 Pagestheir mistakes and promptly followed up by making quite possibly the most successful constitution ever in 1776. To ensure that American citizens would enjoy their new freedom, our founders kept in mind what John Locke had said in his An Essay Concerning Human Understanding â€Å"life, liberty, and property,† by coining â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness† into the final draft of the constitution. The constitution is important because it â€Å"exists to protect the rights of all citizens, and has noRead MoreThe Reconstruction After The Civil War977 Words   |  4 Pagesoutcome of America’s future. As history takes its course, most of the most have the same ending of coming to an end to start something new. One such movement was the Reconstruction. Reconstruction was a time period between 1865 and 1877 following the Civil War, during which people of the United States worked to put the country back together again, introducing a new set of significant challenges. Though, like all things in life, it did come to an end, the resulting outcome had been labeled both a successRead MoreThe Principles Of Slavery And Discrimination1517 Words   |  7 Pagesof slavery and discrimination actually a part of our nations birth and protected by the Constitution? Well, we live in a time where the topic of racial discrimination and things such as white privilege are a mainstay on the covers of many well-read newspapers all over the United States. Many people are torn on these issues and everyone is talking about it, and rightly so. Everyone knows that the United States was founded on the ideas of justice, fairness, and freedom – or was it? Of course ourRead MoreThe Reasons For The American Revolution992 Words   |  4 PagesAlthough the outcomes of the American Revolution only affected rich, white landowners at the time, it unknowingly provided the stepping stones that will later create equality and liberty for all people in the United States. This historic revolution provided a representative democracy in which future generations may pass or amend laws based on the people’s needs; a radical thought at the time. Other countries since then, such as France and Haiti, have followed the footsteps provided by America inRead MoreThe Reconstruction Era Was A Success1490 Words   |  6 PagesThe Reconstruction Era was a Success Shortly after the Civil War ended in 1867, President Abraham Lincoln’s new objective was to unify the union and the confederate states into what was formerly known as the United States of America. This time period is known as the Reconstruction Era, starting with the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in 1865 and ending with the implementation of the Compromise of 1877. The Reconstruction Era was a time period full of political, economicRead MoreThe Civil War : America s Second Revolution1658 Words   |  7 Pagesmarked the beginning of the Civil War, often dubbed as America’s â€Å"Second Revolution.† This war ushered in a new political landscape in which the federal government reclaimed political power over the states allowing it to commence a revitalization of the Constitution. This revitalization, which fell under the Era of Reconstruction, granted a large- scale social development for African Americans initiating this social revolution . Such a dramatic advancement for the â€Å"inferior race† sparked oppositionRead MoreFreedom, Liberty, And Democracy1025 Words   |  5 PagesFinal Essay Since the founding of America, ideas of freedom, liberty, and democracy have been the priorities of Americans. Many people have sought religious freedom in the colonies which led to the founding of other colonies which turned into states. The new world was supposed to be a land of freedom, but many African Americans faced hard lives here. The revolutionary war helped bring an end to slavery and it caused the many whites to challenge black slavery because of revolutionary principles ofRead MoreSouthern Voting Barriers Essay1174 Words   |  5 PagesThe Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed saying that every man would have the right to vote regardless of their race. It was meant to give the right to vote to the African American citizens. Even after this was passed however, states in the South were still able to find ways to keep African Americans from voting. It was easy to still deny their right to vote because the amendment only says that laws cannot be m ade making race a requirement for voting. The most effectiveRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement : Thurgood Marshall Law1501 Words   |  7 PagesMarshall blazed the trail for the Civil Rights Movement from two sides of the American Legal System, both as a lawyer, and as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Marshall’s initial rise to fame came as a result of his success as the head lawyer for the Brown family in Brown vs. The Board of Education. Later, Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court, making him the first ever African American Supreme Court Justice in American history. Overall, Marshall’s impact as a lawyer, a judge, and an activist,Read MoreThe Between Federalists And Anti Federalists, Separation Of Powers And The Federal Government1508 Words   |  7 Pagesthat all Americans should recognize being in the United States Constitution; As supreme as it may portray out to be yet it comes with many imperfections that unsettles the states and greatly affected African Americans, leading future decisions to more disagreements throughout the course of history. The United States were beginning to form itself up since the Constitution was created, it granted the people the power to rule themselves without the federal government getting too involved in State affairs;

Write a One-Paragraph Summary free essay sample

Proposition 203 In its findings and declarations PROP 203 states that the government and public schools of Arizona are obligated to provide Arizona’s children, regardless of their background, proper skills to be successful. The English language is amongst the most important of these skills. It was discovered that the public schools of Arizona were not doing an adequate job at educating these children but were wasting money on unsuccessful, experimental language programs. In conclusion, public schools in Arizona are required to teach English to these children as rapidly and effectively as possible. All the children in Arizona shall receive nearly all classroom instruction in English. Their materials and books shall be in English and all subject matter shall be taught in English. For English Language Learners (ELL) the curriculum and the way it is presented shall be differentiated in a way for students who are learning the English language. They may be educated separate from the mainstream classroom for a period of the day but the pull-outs should not exceed a year. We will write a custom essay sample on Write a One-Paragraph Summary or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Once they have learned proper English and are able to complete their school work in English, then they will be placed into mainstream English classrooms. To monitor the children’s educational progress of subject matter and the learning of the English language, a standardized, nationally-normed written test shall be administered in English. The only children exempt from this test are those students who have been classified as severely learning disabled. These issues will affect my classroom weather I want them to or not. I have to assure that no matter what the child’s ethnical background, or their native language, they are receiving the appropriate education. Under the state-imposed standards, these students are not being treated equal simply by being provided with the same facilities, textbooks, teachers, and curriculum. Students who do not understand English are then being denied of any meaningful education as they do not have access to what is being presented. Due to Chinese-speaking minorities receiving fewer benefits than English-speaking majorities, clarifying guidelines were issued. The district must take the necessary steps to fix the language deficiency in order to include the students who do not speak English. Also, if students are ability grouped, the program must be designed to meet language skills as soon as possible and must not be a permanent track. Although Lau v. Nichols was essentially the same issue as the other lawsuits, I believe I would have a more difficult time teaching students of an ethnical background other than Hispanic. Even these students though should always be provided with what they need. Their education as young children will be the building blocks of a lifetime therefore they must always be provided with a meaningful education. I may not be able to provide them with instructions in Chinese but I will always assure to refer them to an ELL specialist so that they can be provided with the tools they need. Proposition 203, The Flores Consent Decree, and Lau v. Nichols all end up tying back to the same issue. That is minorities who do not speak English and the education system. Many school districts do not take the appropriate measures to provide meaningful education that is the building blocks of a child’s life time.