Preserving historical buildings is much like restoring a priceless painting — carefully wiping away layers of wear and foggy varnish to reveal the original beauty beneath. This intricate process not only honors architectural heritage, but also allows us to experience the stories and craftsmanship of the past. However, after decades — or even centuries — of exposure to the elements, preserving these structures can be a delicate and complex task.
Whether it’s a historical home or a religious building, our goal as remediation experts is always to balance protecting the original fabric of the building with necessary modern updates. The art of historical preservation comes with its fair share of challenges, but it is a crucial art for future generations.
What Types of Buildings Require Preservation and Why?
Historical preservation encompasses a wide variety of structures, from grand estates and government buildings to public landmarks and modest homes. Much like a cherished painting, what makes these buildings worth preserving is the immense cultural, architectural and historical value they hold within their walls.
More specifically, some buildings are preserved because of their:
- Historical Significance: They represent key moments in a nation’s history of serving as homes to famous figures or the location of an important historical event. A common example of this is the preservation of the homes of former presidents.
- Architectural Beauty: Many unique design styles reflect the craftsmanship of bygone eras. The most common examples of this are historical churches or other religious structures.
Just as paintings capture moments on their canvas, these buildings showcase history in their walls. Preservation helps to wipe away the dust of time, allowing us to appreciate the rich history and artistry these structures offer.
What is the Difference Between Preserving and Restoring a Building?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, preserving and restoring are distinct processes in historical conservation.
- Preservation: The focus is on maintaining the building’s historical authenticity with the use of original materials and styling, retaining its authentic charm and historical importance. For example, sourcing original bricks, wood or other materials is crucial to ensure the site maintains its original look and feel. If the original materials are unavailable, replicas may be created to preserve the authenticity of the building.
- Restoration: This involves modernizing the building, often out of necessity. It can include updating plumbing, installing electricity and repairing structural damage caused by weather or time. Restoration efforts seek to bring the building up to modern safety standards without compromising its historical essence.
At the heart of both processes is balancing historical integrity with modern needs. The goal is to ensure that these buildings remain both functional and true to their origins.
When is it Time to Preserve a Building?
The decision to preserve a building is typically guided by several factors including age, historical significance and architectural uniqueness. As buildings age, they inevitably suffer from weather and decay.
It is necessary to look at the visible signs of deterioration and consider the status of the structural integrity of the building to determine when to begin preserving it. Timely intervention prevents further damage and ensures the building can be enjoyed by future generations.
How Do Environmental Factors Impact Preservation?
One of the biggest challenges in preserving historical buildings is adapting them to withstand modern environmental conditions. Centuries-old structures often weren’t built to handle today’s environmental challenges such as climate change and severe weather. Therefore, integrating modern technological solutions is crucial for long-term preservation.
Restoring a building for environmental resilience may involve things as straightforward as adding modern fire alarms and air conditioning to introducing storm drainage systems, reinforcing the foundation or waterproofing walls and ceilings. These upgrades not only bring the building up to modern safety codes, but also protect it from future environmental damage.
Looking Toward the Future
Preserving historical buildings is a conscious balance between respecting the past and preparing for the future. By carefully maintain original materials and incorporating modern solutions, we ensure these architectural gems continue to tell their stories for generations to come.