Historical masonry buildings are very different from modern buildings. Historical bricks were fired at lower temperatures and are much softer and more permeable than modern bricks and buildings constructed with these softer bricks were designed to absorb moisture and then release it. A key component of this design was the lime mortar historically used in …
PRESERVATIONIST VS. REVISIONIST HISTORY, REVISITED. It’s been awhile since we specifically addressed this topic, but given current circumstances, it bears repeating, albeit updated to current events. “History, despite its wrenching pain cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage need not be lived again.” -Maya Angelou -Defaced Robert E. Lee Monument, Richmond, Virginia. Image …
Preservationist vs. Revisionist History, Revisited Read More »
Title: Designing a Sympathetic Addition to a Historic Home Danielle Keperling talks about the importance of making sure your work is never something that can not be undone. Important tips included such as make sure your new addition is compatible and differentiated from the historical building, and best locations in a home to build sympathetic …
PART 4 PRESERVATION MONTH 2020 SERIES LAST WEEK WE PRESENTED PART 3 on the Economic Benefits of Preservation. Part 4 of this series focuses on substitute materials. “Substitute” may not be the first word that comes to mind when we think of preservation, and anyone who knows us knows that we try to preserve, maintain, …
Preservation and sustainability. What does one have to do with the other? If we examine these terms more closely, we can see that older buildings are inherently “green” or sustainable because of “embodied energy” (all of the energy used to build the building that would need to be expended to build something else). In fact, …
A façade. What is it? Most of us know that its most basic definition is “face.” In the case of architecture, this refers to the exterior side of the building, usually the front. Façades on buildings are often the first defining features we see. As times change, so do architectural design styles, and this is …
Andy deGruchy joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss his Craftwork Training Center, the historic masonry contracting and supply business and his philosophy of the body, mind, and spirit working together to create art. His 35 years of experience as a mason was highlighted as he explained his dive into the material science world and …
Wes Swanson joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss historic brick making, lime based mortar, and his journey to preservation through his love of history. We discussed a variety of topics related to historic masonry including: The difference between modern and historic bricks, how they get their color, and what they are made of His …
Practical Preservation Podcast featuring Wes Swanson discussing Historic Masonry Read More »
This week on the Practical Preservation podcast Jonathan and Danielle answer the older home maintenance questions posed by our listeners. Water infiltration through masonry walls – how it is getting in to the building and damaging the mortar, options to stop storm water, and why is your plaster crumbing Paint – preparation is key, lead …
Chad Martin from Partners for Sacred Places met with me to discuss the work he does helping to preserve religious buildings from demolition through adaptive reuse and the creation of community resources. Some of the topics we discussed include: The economic impact of preservation. How the work Partners for Sacred Places allows congregations and parishes …
Practical Preservation Podcast featuring Chad Martin from Partners for Sacred Places Read More »
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