This podcast features Richard Pieper. Pieper is an Architectural Conservator at Columbia University specialising in the documentation of historic architectural technology & the conservation of metals & masonry materials. He is a Partner & Director of Preservation for Jan Hird Pokorny Associates, a preservation architecture firm in New York City. In this conversation; Richard & Matt Reiley, Associate Director of Conservation, Central Park Conservancy discuss the last remaining cast iron 'backer plate' which formed a crucial part of the stunning historical metal work that held up each of the Minton Tile Ceiling panels. As you will hear; these are phenomenal engineering solutions & without them the epic tile ceiling simply wouldn't exist. Richard & Matt discuss its importance, its technical excellence & its importance in relation to the development of the city's wider metal work history which, in turn, is of international significance ie buildings, transit systems & other major parts of the NYC's gargantuan infrastructure.