Introduction
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties embody two important goals: 1) the
preservation of historic materials and, 2) the preservation of
a building's distinguishing character. Every old building is unique,
with its own identity and its own distinctive character. Character
refers to all those visual aspects and physical features that
comprise the appearance of every historic building. Character-defining
elements include the overall shape of the building, its materials,
craftsmanship, decorative details, interior spaces and features,
as well as the various aspects of its site and environment.
The purpose of this Brief is to help the owner or the architect
identify those features or elements that give the building its
visual character and that should be taken into account in order
to preserve them to the maximum extent possible.
There are different ways of understanding old buildings. They
can be seen as examples of specific building types, which are
usually related to a building's function, such as schools, courthouses
or churches.
Buildings can be studied as examples of using specific
materials such as concrete, wood, steel, or limestone. They can
also be considered as examples of an historical period, which
is often related to a specific architectural style, such as Gothic
Revival farmhouses, one-story bungalows, or Art Deco apartment
buildings.
There are many other facets of an historic building besides its
functional type, its materials or construction or style that contribute
to its historic qualities or significance. Some of these qualities
are feelings conveyed by the sense of time and place or in buildings
associated with events or people. A complete understanding of
any property may require documentary research about its style,
construction, function, its furnishings or contents; knowledge
about the original builder, owners, and later occupants; and knowledge
about the evolutionary history of the building. Even though buildings
may be of historic, rather than architectural significance, it
is their tangible elements that embody its significance for association
with specific events or persons and it is those tangible elements
both on the exterior and interior that should be preserved.
Therefore, the approach taken in this Brief is limited to identifying
those visual and tangible aspects of the historic building. While
this may aid in the planning process for carrying out any ongoing
or new use or restoration of the building, this approach is not
a substitute for developing an understanding about the significance
of an historic building and the district in which it is located.
If the various materials, features and spaces that give a building
its visual character are not recognized and preserved, then essential
aspects of its character may be damaged in the process of change.
A building's character can be irreversibly damaged or changed
in many ways, for example, by inappropriate repointing of the
brickwork, by removal of a distinctive side porch, by changes
to the window sash, by changes to the setting around the building,
by changes to the major room arrangements, by the introduction
of an atrium, by painting previously unpainted woodwork, etc.
"Architectural Character" an Historic Preservation Brief
