Photo Credit: © 2014 David Wakely Photography
A common misconception about buildings designated as historically or architecturally significant is that they are substantially the same as on the day they opened. That is probably true for the exterior because these buildings are subject to a local landmark commission’s approval, but on the interior, modifications can be extensive due to changes in building use or programming. Repeated alterations can leave the interior of older buildings with a clash of materials, colors, and design characteristics associated with many different eras.
An architect has choices when renovating older buildings, even those registered or designated as local or national historic landmarks. In a structure that has undergone many additions and remodels, removal of non-contributing features can help return the building to its period of historical significance and to simplify the architecture. Non-original walls can be removed to open up larger spaces, making the building more flexible. A more contemporary approach to design and technology can be incorporated into the alterations so they are differentiated from the historic features. When working within an existing building’s footprint, there are more limitations with regard to the exterior shell. In historic buildings, for example, replacing old windows with more energy-efficient ones helps to reduce a building’s overall energy use but may significantly change the appearance and also prove to be an extremely expensive option. Modifications to materials and fenestration are carefully studied to justify the intervention if it turns out to be an important part of the project.
While many terms describe these types of projects—renovation, refurbishing, reclamation, renewal—the most accurate term might be simplification. At least, that has been the thinking over many years of helping the Berkeley (Calif.) Downtown YMCA improve a facility that encompasses four distinct building areas within one structure—an original 1910 historic building and additions completed in 1931, 1960, and 1994. A very adaptive organization, the YMCA of the Central Bay Area, with a design strategy of keeping spaces flexible as each phase is undertaken, hasn’t hesitated to move activity spaces within the various areas in response to program needs.