Restoration—defined by the Secretary of Interior’s Standards as “the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time …” - typically involves replication of materials, construction methods, and details that serve to present a building as it appeared at a particular period.  Depending on the condition of a structure, restoration can involve a large quantity of preservation work designed to save and protect as much of the original building as possible. 


Historic Preservation Consulting
Our previous experience combined with the knowledge of Mr. Thacker, allows us to consult with other firms that do not have previous historic preservation experience but may be engaged in architectural projects with a preservation component.  Constructing a new building in an historic district or adding an addition to an existing landmark can be full of unforeseen issues that, if not anticipated, can cause delay and compromise the success of a project.  As a consultant, we work with firms at every level of the design process, acting as a informant to help anticipate conflict and mitigate it. 

 

Investigation/Reporting
Some cases a building’s history is not known.  We can be contracted to investigate a structure and document its built history and life resulting in a Preservation Master Plan.  These Preservation Master Plans are crucial first steps in the preservation of historic buildings.  Additionally, these Master Plans are often a required part of grant applications used to secure funding to finance restoration work.  These reports often include measured drawings of the building, photo documentation, and a prioritized list of recommended work.  Mr. Thacker is knowledgeable in identifying typical building technologies, materials and building methods specific to certain periods in history.  This understanding allows him to accurately determine a building’s different construction phases and date its additions and alterations, therefore establishing an accurate building chronology to be used as a baseline.