Keys to Altering Historical Structures

We may often overlook it, but architecture informs our sense of our world, our culture, and our sense of ourselves. The man-made landscapes that we move through resonate with history and influence the pace of our lives in the present.
Historical architecture is an essential feature of any town or city. Old buildings give a location its character, reflect an awareness of a place’s past, and promote a sense of shared identity among local residents. As such, maintaining these structures is of utmost importance. But endeavoring to design, build, restore, or alter old structures involves lots of prior knowledge and precise handiwork. Let’s take a look at a few different approaches to reworking and improving historical architecture.
Preservation
Preservation involves taking measures to sustain the form and integrity of a historical structure, usually by using the same materials as were used in the original. This process is oriented mainly toward maintenance and repair, rather than a need to extensively design, build, restore, or recreate. A preservation project begins with an evaluation of the property, which determines the features that need to be replaced or refurbished. For example, damaged cornices, molding, furniture, or light fixtures may need to be worked on. The process will require you to follow strict standards as to the materials, color, and texture of replacement pieces. In addition, any necessary electrical or plumbing work usually falls within the scope of a preservation job.
Rehabilitation
Rehabbing a structure is more involved, as the aim now is to prepare the building for habitation or use while meeting strict historical building standards. This process is necessary when an old property is going to be used for its original purpose, or for a different purpose that doesn’t require any structural alteration. Towns and cities have strict zoning laws that prevent private residents from changing historical buildings, even if they do become private owners. Rehabilitation may entail the need to design, build, restore, or repair existing features. If you’re moving into an old property, you may build additions on it as long as they are differentiated from existing structures. There will be standards that prevent you from interfering with the proportions and spatial relationships of the original space.
Reconstruction
The largest alteration project for historical sites is reconstruction. This task entails re-creating, from scratch, lost or irreversibly damaged structures. The job is essentially to create a replica of something that has vanished or lost its integrity. As you might guess, research is the first step to this kind of project. Documentary or physical evidence of lost pieces are used to design replacements. The goal of hired craftsmen is to create the most precise replicas possible with minimal conjecture as to what the originals looked like. Reconstruction is a long, arduous process, but with patience and an eye for detail, lost buildings can be exhumed from the reaches of history.

Hoping to alter your home or building? Make sure to remember your options: design, build, restore. Boston residents can learn more by visiting [http://www.precisionbuildersboston.com/default2.htm].

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