How to Restore Historic & Old Heritage Buildings
What is Historic & Heritage Building Restoration
The concept of historic and heritage building restoration is similar to how it sounds. It is the process by which we restore, or bring to life, forgotten buildings. Restoration, contrary to rehabilitation, preservation, or reconstruction, focuses on emphasizing the buildings’ time period and removing other periods. It isn’t as easy to restore a historic building, as many think. The process takes more than cleaning and cosmetic fixes.
Can You Renovate a Historic Building? What is Involved in Restoring a Building?
Renovation of a heritage building is possible but will take time, effort, and research. Architects are similar to physicians in that they must first diagnose the problem, and then recommend a treatment. If the project requires restoration of old buildings versus rehabilitation or reconstruction, then it must take into account what was present during that building’s time period, code compliance, construction means, and methods, and accurately representing its relevant features.
What are Key Factors That Need to Be Taken Into Consideration When Choosing to Restore a Historic Building
Key factors when looking to restore historic buildings include (as previously mentioned), maintaining a building’s original character and structure, paying attention to historic building restoration code and regulations, and ensuring materials and methods are true to the time period. Additionally, local, state and federal boards of historic preservation need to be contacted so that their rules, regulations, and guidelines can be incorporated.
Maintaining Original Character & Structure
There is often a desire to put a modern spin on the restoration of old buildings. However, a true-to-character historic restoration will include maintaining the building’s structural/form and character. . Additionally, when an element or aspect needs attention, proper historic restoration should seek to repair rather than replace. If replacement is necessary, the new piece should aspire to match the original in texture, material, design, color, size, and features. Consider the surrounding area and its community. Many historic and heritage buildings offer a rich history of architectural and design elements that might not be present today. Conduct research on the building itself including the community. Was there anything significant? What was the area known for? Did these buildings have any significant or identifiable features? Were they constructed in a certain way - different from others?
Ensuring Your Restorations of Old Buildings are Up to Code
Like many architecture and construction projects, it is imperative that your building is up to code. Historic buildings have their own particular codes and regulations that they must meet. Hiring or consulting historic building restoration companies and architects would be in your best interest if you are not already an expert on the subject matter. Leaning on the expert advice of those who have already overcome similar challenges will save you time, money, and headaches.
Maintaining the Material & Method Integrity
The entire renovation of a heritage building must be true to the time during which it was constructed. Both materials, spaces, features, and methodology must be retained and preserved. Historic buildings serve as a museum or historic evidence/documentation of a particular time period. According to NPS.gov, “each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use.” The time period in which you are emulating should be compatible and identifiable from your work.
Steps on How To Restore Historic Buildings
Conduct Research: Proper and in-depth research is necessary as we are preserving a piece of history.
Conduct Proper Documentation: Documentation is key throughout the process. Whether you are working with us, another firm, or by yourself, it is important to properly document what is existing, as well as what you are adding. Historic restoration is centered on maintaining the integrity of the time period in as many aspects as possible without adding additional features that weren’t originally present.
Hire Historic Building Restoration Companies & Architects: Before diving head-first into a restoration project, you must be mindful of historic regulation codes, features, and architectural features. Hire an expert building restoration company or expert building restoration architect. Here at studioTECHNE, we pride ourselves in our competency and attention to the aspects of historically accurate restoration.
Contact studioTECHNE & Start Your Heritage Building Restoration Project
Over the years, we have partnered with many organizations and clients including those who needed a renovation of their heritage buildings. We worked with Case Western Reserve University on a building maintenance and repair project to restore Clark Hall, a Queen Anne-style building on the CWRU campus. This project, like many others, required extreme accuracy and attention to detail. In this project, not only were we able to restore the brick façade, but we were able to incorporate 25% of the original brick into the new brickwork. If you’re wondering how to restore historic buildings, then you’re in the right place. Start your project with studioTECHNE | Architects and view our building analysis, maintenance, and structure repair process.
