| Intermuseum Conservation Association 2915 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland Did you catch our clue about the "talon-ted" people who work at Benedict's May location? For National Preservation Month, Benedict flew to the former Vitrolite showroom building at 2915 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, now home of the Intermuseum Conservation Association.  The building was originally constructed as a showroom for the Vitrolite Glass Company, which manufactured opaque structural glass from 1908 to 1935 (Vitrolite was made by Libbey-Owens-Ford from 1935 to 1947). Vitrolite has mostly survived in its Art Deco style, as the sleek "moderne" aesthetic and the shiny surfaces were a match. Use of Vitrolite in eclectic or Beaux-Art styles, as in the Ohio City building, are rarer. The Detroit Avenue building is the only surviving Vitrolite showroom in the United States.
After years of neglect and unsuitable use, the Vitrolite building became the headquarters of the Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA). The new owner assembled a team to rehabilitate the building's interior and then tackled the facade. The most challenging part of the restoration dealt with the terra cotta facade. After cleaning and tuckpointing, the owner opted for actual terra cotta replacement pieces, even though the common solution to such a challenge is to use acceptable alternate materials. The terra cotta balustrade was replaced, and new windows and storefronts matching historic photographs were installed, as well as new wood entry doors and frames.
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Vitrolite showroom building, before ICA restoration
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In 2003, the staff and operations of the ICA relocated from Oberlin College to the building on Detroit Avenue. With this new urban location, and a corresponding expansion of staff and membership, the ICA has been able to redefine and reinvigorate its work to provide professional, high quality, and cost effective art conservation services. Founded in 1952, the ICA is the nation's first non-profit regional art conservation center.
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facade window, after restoration
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From its location in the historic Vitrolite building, the ICA offers a range of services to its membership as well as to non-member collecting organizations, governmental agencies, corporations, and the general public. These services include laboratory and on-site conservation, climate-controlled storage, custom crate building and display work, surveys and inspections, studio-quality photo documentation, educational programming, disaster assistance, grant collaboration, and publications for both a professional and general audience.
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facade, after restoration
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The ICA won an award from Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland at the 2008 Celebration of Preservation for restoration of the building's facade.
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