Choosing Reconstruction as a Treatment
Whereas the treatment Restoration provides guidance
on restoring--or re-creating--building features, the
Standards for Reconstruction and Guidelines for Reconstructing
Historic Buildings address those aspects of treatment
necessary to re-create an entire non-surviving building
with new material. Much like restoration, the goal is
to make the building appear as it did at a particular--and
most significant--time in its history. The difference
is, in Reconstruction, there is far less extant historic
material prior to treatment and, in some cases, nothing
visible. Because of the potential for historical error
in the absence of sound physical evidence, this treatment
can be justified only rarely and, thus, is the least
frequently undertaken. Documentation requirements prior
to and following work are very stringent. Measures should
be taken to preserve extant historic surface and subsurface
material. Finally, the reconstructed building must be
clearly identified as a contemporary re-creation.
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In the 1930s reconstruction of the 18th century
Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia,
the earliest archeological remains of the brick
foundation were carefully preserved in situ, and
serve as a base for the reconstructed walls. Photo:
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
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Research and Document Historical Significance
Guidance for the treatment Reconstruction begins with
researching and documenting the building's historical
significance to ascertain that its re-creation is essential
to the public understanding of the property. Often,
another extant historic building on the site or in a
setting can adequately explain the property, together
with other interpretive aids. Justifying a reconstruction
requires detailed physical and documentary evidence
to minimize or eliminate conjecture and ensure that
the reconstruction is as accurate as possible. Only
one period of significance is generally identified;
a building, as it evolved, is rarely re-created. During
this important fact-finding stage, if research does
not provide adequate documentation for an accurate reconstruction,
other interpretive methods should be considered, such
as an explanatory marker.
Investigate Archeological Resources
Investigating archeological resources is the next
area of guidance in the treatment Reconstruction. The
goal of physical research is to identify features of
the building and site which are essential to an accurate
re-creation and must be reconstructed, while leaving
those archeological resources that are not essential,
undisturbed. Information that is not relevant to the
project should be preserved in place for future research.
The archeological findings, together with archival documentation,
are then used to replicate the plan of the building,
together with the relationship and size of rooms, corridors,
and other spaces, and spatial relationships.
Identify, Protect and Preserve Extant Historic Features
Closely aligned with archeological research, recommendations
are given for identifying, protecting, and preserving
extant features of the historic building. It is never
appropriate to base a Reconstruction upon conjectural
designs or the availability of different features from
other buildings. Thus, any remaining historic materials
and features, such as remnants of a foundation or chimney
and site features such as a walkway or path, should
be retained, when practicable, and incorporated into
the reconstruction. The historic as well as new material
should be carefully documented to guide future research
and treatment.
Reconstruct Non-Surviving Building and Site
After the research and documentation phases, guidance
is given for Reconstruction work itself. Exterior and
interior features are addressed in general, always emphasizing
the need for an accurate depiction, i.e., careful duplication
of the appearance of historic interior paints, and finishes
such as stencilling, marbling, and graining. In the
absence of extant historic materials, the objective
in reconstruction is to re-create the appearance of
the historic building for interpretive purposes. Thus,
while the use of traditional materials and finishes
is always preferred, in some instances, substitute materials
may be used if they are able to convey the same visual
appearance. Where non-visible features of the building
are concerned--such as interior structural systems or
mechanical systems--it is expected that contemporary
materials and technology will be employed. Re-creating
the building site should be an integral aspect of project
work. The initial archeological inventory of subsurface
and aboveground remains is used as documentation to
reconstruct landscape features such as walks and roads,
fences, benches, and fountains.
Energy Efficiency/Accessibility/Health and Safety
Code Considerations
Code requirements must also be met in Reconstruction
projects. For code purposes, a reconstructed building
may be considered as essentially new construction. Guidance
for these sections is thus abbreviated, and focuses
on achieving design solutions that do not destroy extant
historic features and materials or obscure reconstructed
features.
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