I’ve noticed that many people often get some terms confused when it comes to renovating historic structures. As someone who’s passionate about preserving and revitalizing our architectural heritage, I wanted to help clarify these concepts. At OH Design Lab, we recently had the privilege of being involved in the rehabilitation of a building. This project, which involved adapting a historical building for a new function—an excellent example of rehabilitation—highlights the importance of understanding these terms.

The Four Treatments of Historic Properties

The U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation outlines four distinct approaches to the treatment of historic properties: Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction. Here's a brief overview of each, along with my interpretations:

Preservation

Preservation is all about maintaining and repairing a historic building’s existing materials and structure. The goal is to preserve the building as it is, with minimal intervention. Think of it as carefully maintaining the old, without trying to change or update it.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is what we did in Midway. It involves adapting a building for a new use while retaining its historic character. It’s about balancing the need to update a property to meet modern requirements, like building codes, with the desire to preserve its historical significance.

Restoration

Restoration is akin to turning back the clock on a building, restoring it to its appearance at a specific period in its history. This often involves removing later additions and repairs that don’t fit with the original design.

Reconstruction

Reconstruction involves recreating a building or parts of a building that no longer exist. It’s about meticulously rebuilding a property to match its historic appearance, often based on extensive research and documentation.

The Financial Benefits of Historic Rehabilitation

It’s worth noting that the Kentucky Heritage Council has received an increased budget of $100 million annually to award to historical projects. This funding can significantly help cover the investment in restoring or rehabilitating historic properties—even if you live in the property already. If the property is income-producing, the benefits are even greater, as it qualifies you not only for state but also for federal tax credits. More on the Kentucky Heritage Council’s web page.

Need a Creative Team for Your Historic Project?

Steven Lowe is a registered architect and holds a certificate in Historic Preservation and possesses extensive architectural expertise across many building typologies. His addition strengthens our ability at OH Design Lab to serve clients who value the importance of preserving and rehabilitating historic structures. Do you need a creative team to help bring your vision to life? Contact OH Design Lab today!