During historic restoration, buildings are restored with the aim of retaining their original character.
Building restoration is a process in the construction industry where a building of historic value is restored to the appearance of its original quality. Meticulous attention to detail is paid to the use of original building materials in most building restorations. Construction techniques and knowledge of the previous construction of the building are also used to maintain its value as part of the local cultural heritage. To make the restoration as authentic as possible, the contractors and architects consult researchers and historians familiar with the building to ensure that the work done genuinely reflects the parameters of the original design.
The practice of building conservation is often sponsored by national governments that have an interest in preserving the historic culture of their people. This lends itself to tax breaks and government funding for the restoration process, which encourages architectural and construction contractors to get involved in the area. However, grants and loans to promote the process are often insufficient, as the historic restoration of a building is often of no commercial value to a company that does not have the right to sell the property once the restoration is complete. Therefore, matching funds are often sought through fundraising campaigns in the local community who have a vested interest in restoring the building.
Structures earmarked for conservation-restoration are typically at least 50 years old and representative of an architectural era of notable historical importance, such as a Tudor or Victorian design from the 15th and 19th centuries in England. In the United States, special significance is attached to restoration if a historical figure lived in or frequented a building for any reason. This is usually documented in historical records and such buildings, regardless of their current physical condition, may be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some nations have also established branches of government to handle the restoration and preservation of historic buildings, such as the Center for Historic Buildings in the United States, which operates under the direction of the General Services Administration (GSA).
The building restoration process can generally be divided into four different categories, which help describe the intensity of the process from one location to another. A historic building is conserved, rehabilitated, restored or reconstructed. Conservation is probably the least labor-intensive process of the four, as it involves an attempt to prevent physical deterioration of the building, without removing the natural effects of aging that have given it an added sense of character. No new materials are added to the building, no repainting is done, and efforts are made simply to ensure it outlasts its original design. This can include protecting it from natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and fires in a discreet way that doesn’t alter its basic appearance.
The three R’s of building restoration (rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction) are more labor intensive, but are still distinct from one another. Rehabilitation allows for the alteration of the basic structure with current building materials so that it can continue to serve modern purposes. However, every effort is made to preserve the original appearance of the building. Restoration is the pure process of keeping a building in its original form with only original materials to do so, and may involve the removal of modern materials from the building that were previously added to strengthen it. Reconstruction involves repairing buildings that have collapsed or been damaged by storms and allows for new building materials as long as they resemble the originals used to build the structure.