New Construction and Related Demolition

Demolition
New construction and related demolition at historic properties can be a serious preservation issue. Just as historic resources vary, new construction should be tailored to the historic property. The SHPO can provide assistance in new construction projects and has developed general guidelines that can be useful during project planning. The primary objective is to determine if the property can accept the addition of a new feature without impact to the historical design, features and materials of the property. A side or rear secondary elevation is usually the best location for additions to historic buildings. Any new addition should not impact or change the general perception of the building's historic design. As part of this approach, the addition should be designed to be compatible with the architectural character of the historic building, incorporating materials that complement the historic. The real challenge, however, comes in insuring that the new addition is compatible without being a carbon copy of the historic building. While it should be clear to the casual observer that the addition is new and not historic, the design and materials of the new construction must respect and reflect the historic building.

New additions to other property types should be given the same consideration. New construction within an historic landscape should be placed in the least prominent and least significant spaces. New additions - such as new vegetation, circulation, or furnishings and objects - should be compatible with the physical and visual characteristics of the specific landscape; cookie-cutter solutions from one location may not be appropriate in others.

Rooftop Additions
New rooftop construction is an extremely sensitive issue in a preservation project. Rooftop additions are inappropriate at most historic properties because they can seriously change the height, profile, and overall exterior character of a building, as well as affect the overall character of an historic landscape or historic district. Any proposed construction will be reviewed for its overall visibility from all viewpoints. In general, a successful rooftop addition is small in scale and footprint, held away from the building's perimeter, and visible from a limited number of vantage points. The exceptions are elevator overruns and areas of fire refuge; such elements involve minor changes and are therefore usually acceptable.

Parking Additions
Work associated with providing parking at an historic property can be of great concern. Contemporary parking facilities--whether surface lots or garages--can greatly alter a property's historic character and, in most cases, involves the loss of historic features and/or materials. Any proposed parking facility, including its entries/exits, approaches and support features (lighting, security elements), will be reviewed carefully. Emphasis will be on assessing the effect on important spaces, views, topography, vegetation and buildings/structures.

Demolition
Demolition should be kept to an absolute minimum in any preservation project, and limited to secondary areas or areas of extreme deterioration. Any demolition should be carefully planned to minimize impacts on historic features and materials, as well as building floorplans or site plans.

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