Presentations:
current offerings

Hyde Park Mouldings offers remote or in-person presentations for anyone interested in knowing more about the history, means and methods of our craft. Over the years, Architects, Designers and Construction Professionals have found it very informative and useful to visit our facilities, see our processes first-hand and better understand the wide realm of possibilities that fabrication in gypsum affords. In our presentations - whether in-person or on-line - we strive to convey the same sort of knowledge that one might gain from visiting our facility. The presentations described below are planned at 90 minutes in length. At this time, we do not offer continuing education credits.

The Evolution of Gypsum Mouldings

Gypsum plaster - aka "Plaster of Paris" has been used as a medium for the creation of architectural features for centuries. From the workshops of antiquity to today's sophisticated approach utilizing engineered glass fiber reinforcement (aka GFRG), this course will provide an overview of the means and methods associated with this branch of architectural fabrication.

Prerequisite Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of interior architectural detailing is recommended.

Learning Objective 1: The participant will understand the traditional methods of creating moulded architectural forms with gypsum and how those methods have evolved to present-day.

Learning Objective 2: The participant will come to understand the different methods of reinforcing gypsum for the purpose of creating architectural forms.

Learning Objective 3: The participant will be exposed to visual examples of workshop techniques that will inform and expand the way they approach the design of elements such as mouldings, vaults, reveals.

Learning Objective 4: The participant will learn the benefits and limitation of gypsum as a medium for interior architectural forms.

Practical Decorative Plastering

For much of mankind's history, plaster played an important role in interior construction. Prior to the introduction of gypsum wall board ("Drywall") at the end of the 19th century, interior walls, ceilings and decorative elements were commonly rendered in plasters made of gypsum, lime and mineral aggregates using the same age-old methods documented by Vitruvius in his Ten Books on Architecture. Although construction methods and materials have evolved, plaster remains a viable and useful material for interiors as both a finish and as a medium for cast or drawn ornament.

Learning Objective 1: Review the benefits and limitations of plaster as a material for interior construction.

Learning Objective 2: Demonstrate methods of casting and "Running" plaster mouldings.

Learning Objective 3: Provide a brief overview of the uses of plaster in construction throughout history.

Learning Objective 4: Examine established "Levels of Drywall Finish" and compare to lime/gypsum plaster veneer.

The History and Use of Decorative Plaster in Architecture

A survey of the history, development and contemporary uses of plaster as an architectural finish.

Learning Objective 1: When the course is concluded, the participant will be able to display a working knowledge of the Renaissance origins of methods and materials used in the production of plaster architectural ornament.

Learning Objective 2: When the course is concluded, the participant will have an understanding of the benefits and limitations of plaster as a material for interior mouldings and ornament.

Learning Objective 3: When the course is concluded, the participant will be able to properly detail a plaster crown moulding in various substrate conditions.

Learning Objective 4: When the course is concluded, the participant will understand how to properly convey in specification the requirements for specific custom ornamental plaster elements in architectural interiors.