Deerfield Beach, Florida - MAPEI, a world leader in the manufacture of concrete restoration products and flooring installation systems, recently hosted an event at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City to celebrate the completion of the building's exterior restoration. MAPEI products were used exclusively in the repair and coating of the spiraling concrete exostructure of the famous Frank Lloyd Wright building.
"Helping to conserve the history of an architectural icon like the Guggenheim is tremendously rewarding, and we are delighted that MAPEI's concrete restoration systems were selected for this restoration," said Rainer Blair, President and CEO of MAPEI Americas. "A unique concrete structure when it was first unveiled in 1959, the Guggenheim is now set to endure for the next 50 years."
The MAPEI event was formatted to appeal to design professionals from the private and public sectors in the New York City area. During the first part of the afternoon, Amanda Thomas-Trienens, Senior Conservator for Integrated Conservation Resources, Inc., gave an AIA/CES-approved presentation on the technical aspects of architecturally conserving a historical landmark. With graphs and photos, she demonstrated the challenges that arose and were overcome in defining the degree of deterioration in the exterior of the building, selecting the proper materials for restoration, and maintaining the aesthetic of the original finished surface.
Paul Schwartzbaum, the Chief Conservator and Technical Director of International Projects for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, then briefly discussed the relationship the Foundation established with MAPEI during the course of the project, highlighting the technical support the company supplied. "It was this unfailing support from MAPEI and its ability to provide solutions for all the challenging situations we encountered that persuaded us to entrust them with the responsibility of providing all the concrete repair materials, the waterproofing products, and the protective coating that has restored the Guggenheim's unique exterior," Schwartzbaum said.
In his concluding remarks, he announced that Giorgio Squinzi, his wife Adriana Spazzoli and the MAPEI Group will be providing the funds to restore the two façades of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice next year. "This sponsorship represents not only valuable financial support but access to MAPEI's building products, which are acknowledged as being of the very highest quality on the market," Schwartzbaum said.
Pasquale Zaffaroni, Product Manager of the Building Line for MAPEI Group, closed the presentations segment of the Guggenheim event with a short commentary on the numerous restoration projects MAPEI has participated in around the world, including the Rio Verde Viaduct in Italy, the Three Gorges Dam in China, the Storebaelt Bridge in Denmark, the historic Castle of Caen in France, the almost 2000-year-old Domus Aurea (Nero's House) in Rome and Italy's beloved La Scala opera house in Milan.
After the presentations, MAPEI hosted a reception in the Guggenheim Museum rotunda. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and the chance to ascend the six-story spiral of the museum as they viewed the Guggenheim's latest exhibit, "theanyspacewhatever." There were many comments on the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright, a visionary who, much like MAPEI, sought innovation as the path to the future.
About MAPEI
MAPEI has been supplying systems for tile and stone installation, floor-covering installation, decorative concrete and concrete restoration for more than 70 years. With more than 50,000 customers worldwide and 53 associated manufacturing plants operating in 24 countries, MAPEI is a single-source supplier for commercial, industrial and residential projects. MAPEI is a registered provider to the AIA/CES program and also offers training related to ceramic and stone tile, floor coverings and concrete repair through the MAPEI Technical Institute. MAPEI is an environmentally conscious manufacturer and has been a member of the U.S. Green Building Council since 2001. Visit www.mapei.com for technical data or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734) for the nearest location.
