Introduction
Because a new exterior addition to a historic building can damage
or destroy significant materials and can change the building's
character, an addition should be considered only after it has
been determined that the new use cannot be met by altering nonsignificant,
or secondary, interior spaces. If the new use cannot be met in
this way, then an attached addition may be an acceptable alternative
if carefully planned. A new addition should be constructed in
a manner that preserves significant materials and features and
preserves the historic character. Finally, an addition should
be differentiated from the historic building so that the new work
is not confused with what is genuinely part of the past.
Change is as inevitable in buildings and neighborhoods as it is
in individuals and families. Never static, buildings and neighborhoods
grow, diminish, and continue to evolve as each era's technological
advances bring conveniences such as heating, street paving, electricity,
and air conditioning; as the effects of violent weather, uncontrolled
fire, or slow unchecked deterioration destroy vulnerable material,
as businesses expand, change hands, become obsolete, as building
codes are established to enhance life safety and health; or as
additional family living space is alternately needed and abandoned.
 The historic character of this commercial building has been radically changed by a replicative four-story addition. This approach does not meet the Standards for Rehabilitation. Photo: NPS files. |
Preservationists generally agree that the history of a building,
together with its site and setting, includes not only the period
of original construction but frequently later alterations and
additions. While each change to a building or neighborhood is
undeniably part of its history--much like events in human life--not
every change is equally important. For example, when a later,
clearly nonsignificant addition is removed to reveal the original
form, materials, and craftsmanship, there is little complaint
about a loss to history.
When the subject of new exterior additions is introduced, however,
areas of agreement usually tend to diminish. This is understandable
because the subject raises some serious questions. Can a historic
building be enlarged for a new use without destroying what is
historically significant? And just what is significant about each
particular historic building that should be preserved? Finally,
what new construction is appropriate to the old building?
The vast amount of literature on the subject of change to America's
built environment reflects widespread interest as well as divergence
of opinion. New additions have been discussed by historians within
a social and political, framework; by architectural historians
in terms of construction technology and style; and by urban planners
as successful or unsuccessful contextual design. Within the historic
preservation programs of the National Park Service, however, the
focus has been and will continue to be the protection of those
resources identified as worthy of listing in the National Register
of Historic Places.
National Register Listing--
Acknowledging
Change While Protecting Historical Significance
Entire districts or neighborhoods may be listed in the National
Register of Historic Places for their significance to a certain
period of American history (e.g., activities in a commercial district
between 1870 and 1910). This "framing" of historic districts
has led to a concern that listing in the National Register may
discourage any physical change beyond a certain historical period--particularly
in the form of attached exterior additions. This is not the case.
National Register listing does not mean that an entire building
or district is frozen in time and that no change can be made without
compromising the historical significance. It also does not mean
that each portion of a historic building is equally significant
and must be retained intact and without change. Admittedly, whether
an attached new addition is small or large, there will always
be some loss of material and some change in the form of the historic
building. There will also generally be some change in the relationship
between the buildings and its site, neighborhood or district.
Some change is thus anticipated within each rehabilitation of
a building for a contemporary use.
"New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings" an Historic Preservation Brief
