|
|
|
|
|
Here at Kraemer Design Group, we are well-versed in The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. In our work as historic architects or as historic consultants on rehabilitation projects, we frequently reference and utilize these standards to navigate our work appropriately, ensuring these projects qualify for federal historic tax benefits. Every step taken as part of a rehabilitation project seeking historic tax credits is measured against the Standards, which are regulatory for projects receiving federal assistance, such as Historic Preservation Fund grant monies. Local historic district approvals often depend upon meeting the Standards as well.
For the first time since 1995, an updated version of the Standards’ treatment guidelines was released by the National Park Service this summer. So, what does that mean for KDG?
To start, it’s important to know that there are four technical treatments in Standards: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction. Each technical treatment has its own accompanying guidelines, depending on what is appropriate for that particular historic project.
|
|
|
The work that we do at KDG almost always falls under Rehabilitation, defined as “the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.”
|
|
|
For example: In downtown Detroit, we rehabilitate former retail, office or industrial buildings into retail, office, or residential—and sometimes, a mix of these uses.
Melissa Arrowsmith, a historic preservationist at KDG, breaks down some of the top changes to be aware of in the updated rehabilitation guidelines, and how those changes affect KDG’s work moving forward.
|
|
|
|
One of the most important changes to the guidelines is the inclusion of newer, 20th century building materials and systems that now qualify as “historic.” These additions refer to specific treatments used for modern materials, such as tempered glass, low emissivity (or low-e) glass, impact-resistant glass, composite materials, imitative materials, and curtain wall systems. Some of the historic consulting projects we’ve done at KDG include mid-century buildings. With this update, we can ensure the correct treatment of such materials.
The old version of the Standards included “recommended” and “not recommended” treatments for identifying, retaining, preserving, protecting, maintaining, repairing, and replacing the historic elements of a building. However, there have been many advances in preservation technologies, methods and materials since 1995, and changes have been made throughout Standards to reflect the changes to recommended and not recommended treatments. The 2017 updates and revisions to the recommended treatments is more inline with today’s best practices.
|
|
|
|
1995 Standards Cover
|
|
At KDG, our combined expertise in architecture and preservation means we know the importance of addressing the impact of code-required work on our historic projects. The 2017 update to the Standards includes a section in each chapter on code-required work, without sacrificing the historic character of the building. For example, choosing a location with minimal visual impact when installing code-required stairs, ramps, or elevators for accessibility. While these historically-sensitive, code-compliant treatments are not new to our work, it is an exciting addition to the Standards that codifies our practice and makes the information easy to share with clients. |
|
|
|
2017 Standards Cover
|
|
|
In the 2017 update to Standards, standard number two (of 10) states, “The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.” The phrase “distinctive materials” replaces the old standard which used the language “historic materials.” Historic usually means at least 50 years old—if not more—or materials that date within the building’s period of significance. This change of wording is relevant because it refers to the way we assess which materials are to be preserved in a rehabilitation. The update specifically asks the question: “Which historic materials are distinctive features, significant to defining the character of the building?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
