REcreate

Recreate history

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Recreating Heritage.

Heritage restoration requires a multitude of skills and extensive knowledge of traditional masonry practices.

It is often impossible to source, or cost prohibitive to use the original facade material. Ductal, a ultra high performance concrete, can provide a cost effective, light weight and weather resistant alternative in these cases.

Old buildings are often not up to modern engineering standards and require lightweight, thin cross sections rather than full sized blocks of stone. Materials such as UHPC and GFRC can help to lower the weight of new materials by using hollow casting techniques, or casting what would traditionally be many units into one main column component.  Old world techniques and new technology can work together to help recreate damaged components when restoring heritage buildings. Mend Restoration has talented artists able to sculpt any shape or form. Our team is fluent with 3D software, and our network of professionals can help with CNC milling, rapid prototype and 3D scanning.

When existing components are too dilapidated or have been completely removed, Mend can use archival blueprints, drawings or old photographs to help with the recreation of a facade.

 

Our services

Sculpting

Technology is not always the most efficient methodology.  Mend often utilizes our talented team of sculptors to REcreate detail, or embellish subtle details that are difficult to machine with CNC equipment.  Mend  has in house sculpting talent such as David Ducharme , who has won many awards and acclaim internationally.

CNC Milling

When ornate components are too damaged to be restored, state of the art milling systems can accurately reproduce a positive unit from which a mold can be created from. Foam is the most typical medium, although wood and steel are also commonly utilized.

3D Scanning

3d scanning creates a digital file of the scanned item that can then be worked with from the comfort of an home or office. Details can be altered to make hollow sections or knockouts for inserts or embedded fasteners.

UHPC casting

Materials such as UHPC and GFRC can help to lower the weight of new materials by using hollow casting techniques, or casting what would traditionally be many units into one main column component. Mend works with it’s sister company Szolyd Development to create new components that match shape, texture and colour.

 

  • REcreate from archival photos

    Our team studied archival photos and damaged sections covered with layers of old reno's to Recreate the Hotel Rialto facade.

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  • REcreate with Ultra high performance concrete

    Why not use the strongest most robust concrete?

  • REcreate Sculpt

    Our talented artisans can sculpt original pieces or refresh detail lost from years of wear and tear.

  • REcreate – Installation

    Mend works with an experienced team of stone masons, engineers, and consultants to determine the safest and most cost effective installation methodologies.

  • REcreate with mold building craftsmanship

    Our team of craftsmen choose from many mold building materials including rubber, wood, foam, fiberglass, and metal.

  • REcreate with CNC technology

    CNC milling machines can carve accurate models taken from 3d scanners or from computer rendered files.

Our process

 

1

RESEARCH

Archival photographs, original blueprints and uncovered architectural features can be used to REcreate history.  Using multiple techniques we can rebuild a positive and produce a production mold for REcreation.

APPROACH

2

If the facade or component is beyond repair, Mend will determine the proper approach to recreate the units. 3d scanning, onsite mold building techniques and rapid prototyping are all utized to create an historically accurate replication that exceeds the existing materials performance.

3

ENGINEERING

Often historic building do not meet modern seismic building codes. UHPC ductal offers lightweight solutions with modular components that reduce weight and the potential for further fatigue to existing substrates. UHPC acts as a structural and aesthetic solution in one material, it does not need an interior steel support framework. Over time steel will corrode and rust, ductal is waterproof at 1″ and is self supporting.

MOLD FABRICATON

4

A variety of techniques and materials are used when building a mold.  Ornate detail requires softer durometer rubber to capture minute details and pull from undercuts. Integral, non ferrous mounting systems or embedments can be incorporated into the mold.

5

INSTALLATION

Modular components , precise craftsmanship and stable casting mediums reduce variables with installation, therefore keeping costs within the budgets. Mend works with an experienced team of stone masons,  engineers, and consultants to determine the safest and most cost effective installation methodologies.