Whether they’re expanding or updating a school, church, theater, or retail space, builders approach historical renovation projects differently than they do brand new, glossy, modern buildings. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about how our construction teams work to match historical elements, bring historic buildings up to code, and introduce sustainable building practices.
How do builders approach a historic renovation or expansion differently than other projects?
A great deal of thought and consideration goes into a historical project. When planning an addition or rework to the existing building, structural considerations are incredibly important to prevent the building from settling or shifting. Early in the preconstruction process, we pay close attention to issues such as matching building elements, working to maintain the integrity of the original building, and understanding existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The historic district or historical review board helps ensure the building’s integrity by reviewing the design team’s plans.
We carefully review the project’s staging. Typically, historical renovation projects involve site constraints, such as buildings that must remain occupied. We plan material deliveries, coordinate major construction events, and manage traffic and pedestrian flow throughout the site.
How do architects and designers work to match the integrity of historical elements?
It’s a long process that requires extensive collaboration. Take masonry, for example. We provide samples of the planned construction materials. In a thorough review, we determine which samples match the building’s natural weathering. If we find a sample we think will work, the next step is to create a mock-up panel. This panel can range in size but creates a sample of the construction. It can then be reviewed alongside the building’s facade to assess the match. If it’s not the right match, we repeat the process. This process is but one piece of the entire project puzzle. We go through these steps for each building element to ensure we match the current elements of the building, if desired. Today, there is a vast difference in the availability of materials compared to the period of the original construction.
What limitations are most frequently encountered? How do you overcome those limitations?
When we’re working on a building expansion or renovation in a historic district, we have to be careful to comply with review boards. For example, in Lancaster City, it’s the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB). They review the design or changes to the exterior materials of the building. We can make some independent choices, such as changing the exterior color and certain architectural elements, but we cannot compromise the building’s integrity. At the end of the day, the building must maintain its design elements to ensure it doesn’t detract from the integrity of its character and the charm of the buildings around it.
Historic renovations or additions require extreme care. We recently worked to add a basement and atrium onto St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, a structure originally built in the 1700s. Working on a structural foundation that was over 200 years old had its challenges! On such a historic site, construction can move slowly, so we planned a project schedule that allowed enough time for all necessary tasks.
How do you handle the tasks of bringing an older historic building up to modern building codes?
During renovation or addition projects, we can open walls and update systems. Whether we’re installing new fire alarms, sprinkler pipe or emergency lighting, we can work to update the backbone of these new systems within the walls. However, it’s possible to run into projects where we don’t access any walls. If this is the case, new design elements can be constructed to create a pathway to hide wiring or piping, and ensure it meets the original building design.
Also, if items such as elevators, new ramps, grab bars, automatic door openers, etc. are required to adhere to ADA codes, we work with the design team to ensure the addition of these items matches the historic feel of the rest of the site.
What steps can be taken to undergo sustainable historic renovation or expansion?
When we’re working on the interior of the building, we have more flexibility to introduce newer and more sustainable materials than we do on the exterior. If the client desires, we can integrate LEED components into the project that can include anything from utilizing local materials, sustainable materials, or recycling programs on the job site.
How do your safety plans change when buildings reveal other issues, such as asbestos or lead paint?
Safety is always our priority on any job, but in any renovation project, we pay close attention to confined spaces, silica dust considerations, and completing an environmental survey of the building before demolition, just to name a few.
We perform an environmental study for all renovation projects. We check pipes, flooring, walls, paint, and other materials for signs of lead or asbestos. If elements test positive for lead paint or asbestos, we hire an abatement contractor to remove them in an environmentally friendly manner. Then we can proceed. Additionally, we survey the building for structural cracking or settlement, which could be detrimental to the project.
