Buttress’ Post

⛪ Adapting Historic Buildings into Homes 🏘️ Historic England has recently published a vital guide for converting historic buildings into residential properties. As these structures embody a blend of heritage and architectural finesse, such projects can significantly benefit our evolving housing landscape. The guide illuminates the delicate balance required in preserving the unique features of historical buildings while upgrading them for contemporary living. It provides essential insights on maintaining structural integrity, adhering to conservation principles, and complying with current building regulations. Such valuable resources are indispensable for our industry professionals, who strive to merge preservation with innovation. To read more about the guide, click the link in the comments below. 🔗⬇️ #HistoricBuildings #Housing #Construction

At what point in time do more recent changes to a building also become a part of its historical significance? In this video, Utah’s preservation architect and undercover superhero, Jansen Bennett, discusses how updates and improvements made to historic buildings can themselves become a defining characteristic of the building. This can leave preservationists and city officials scratching their heads about whether to restore a building to its original design, or preserve the changes made to it over time. #UtahSHPO, #BrighamCity, #ArchitectureHistory

One of the key challenges facing heritage buildings in the UK is finding the balance between preservation and modern functionality. Historic England and Cadw stress the significance of safeguarding the historical integrity of these structures. However, incorporating modern amenities like heating, insulation, and accessibility can sometimes create a conflict between heritage values and practical requirements. Architects and conservationists are increasingly challenged to find solutions that honor both history and current needs. A completely vapour permeable approach is considered optimal in addressing these challenges. Properties constructed towards the late 19th Century often utilised cementitious materials, making the application of materials like lime render in renovations more intricate compared to buildings constructed with natural materials initially. This iconic Victorian half-timbered town centre building in the UK illustrated below, features large overhanging roofs that have effectively protected the external wall fabric over time. The primary issues we uncovered stemmed from blocked gutters and inadequate maintenance by previous owners. #HeritageBuildings #Preservation #Architects #Conservationists #HistoricIntegrity #ModernAmenities

Watching and documenting the transformation of Interlachen Country Club over the past year has been a rewarding challenge. Of all the content we created around the renovation, this series is my favorite. In the Fall of 2022, I got inspiration from a building construction timelapse and wondered if I could accomplish the same thing with our golf course. Over the next 6 months, I tested various software, flight paths, and workflows to make something like this a reality. I did tests for height, speed, and routing based on the layout of the time, but knew I'd need to capture the changes in routing (like the 10th green moving 50 yards). My goal was to fly over each hole once a week during construction, but each week presented a different challenge due to what part of the course was being worked on, heavy winds and smoke from wildfires (thanks Canada), maximizing flight time on each battery, etc. I ended up getting pretty close to one flyover a week but I had to make lots of adjustments along the way. I quickly gave up on the idea that each flight was going to be perfect and learned to chip away at optimizing each hole. I did my best to match everything up and trusted that I could do the rest in post-production. We used the footage in different ways over the summer for general course updates, but as construction started to wrap up I spent a lot of time syncing up all these flights and cutting them down into 1-2 minute videos. From there, Andrew Green crushed the narrations for us! It's not easy to succinctly describe all of the changes that happened in such a short amount of time, but he did a great job and really helped bring the final videos to life. We released the videos to our membership one hole at a time in our weekly Connections email starting in February and here we are a couple of months away from the grand re-opening! I learned so much about video production and golf course construction through this project and watching everything come to life has been such a joy!

"Usually, when I advise clients on the merits of submitting an application for a Certificate of Immunity from Listing, I explain that the risk is that if it is not granted, then the building will automatically be listed. Not so for City Hall." The famous London City Hall building has been refused listing for a second time, paving the way for proposals to overhaul the 22-year-old landmark. Partner Lucy Markham from our Historic Environment and Townscape team reviews the curious case of the City Hall listing, highlighting the careful balance required between preserving modern architecture and allowing time for proper historical context. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eQ7SJfyn #MEHEAT #CityHall #ListingCases

n light of the recent Los Angeles wildfires, it's evident that integrating fire-resistant materials and designs is crucial in modern architecture to safeguard homes and communities. Innovative approaches, such as fire-resistant glass, concrete, and metal roofing, have proven effective in enhancing building resilience. For instance, the Getty Center in Los Angeles remained unscathed during the Palisades fire, thanks to its fire-resistant construction and protective measures.  🇺🇲 At VIPEQ, we are committed to advancing fire safety through our range of fire-retardant products. Our solutions are designed to work seamlessly into contemporary designs, providing both aesthetic appeal and improved protection against fire hazards. By choosing VIPEQ's fire-resistant materials, architects and builders can contribute to creating safer, more resilient structures that stand the test of time, and give more time when disaster strikes. 🌳🌎

As we have recently seen in our cities, architectural renovation and development are conflicting aspects of urban growth and preservation. As cities evolve, the tension between maintaining historical structures and accommodating new developments becomes increasingly pronounced. One of the primary arguments for architectural renovation is the preservation of historical significance and cultural identity. Many cities boast landmarks that embody their heritage, serving as tangible links to the past. On the contrary, development works often prioritize modernity and economic growth, sometimes at the expense of historical sites. New construction can overshadow or even demolish older buildings, leading to a loss of character and uniqueness in urban landscapes. Critics argue that this trend diminishes cultural diversity, erasing the historical narratives that define communities. Thus, the clash between preserving the past and embracing the future creates a fundamental tension in urban planning.

Ballymore Unveils Inclusive Playground in Malahide, Celebrating Community and Accessibility. Minister and local TD Darragh O'Brien has joined the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, and Ballymore representatives this week to open a new playground in Malahide. Ballymore has designed the fully accessible play space to complement its newest neighbourhood at Seamount Rise. In collaboration with Fingal County Council's Parks Department, Park Hood Landscape Architecture, and local suppliers, the playground is part of Ballymore's ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and community-oriented developments. Our web article takes a closer look: https://lnkd.in/em3AgRyT

It seems that article after article indicating that homes that survived LA fires have several things in common that saved them: none combustible materials, no eaves, none ventilated attics, heat resistant roofing assembly, no foundation planting/landscaping. There are other factors as well, such as concrete walls around perimeter that prevented fire spreading along the fence line (unlike the wood fencing). There are no “junk”, trash cans or vehicles parked by the houses. We know the fires will affect building codes in the future and that is perhaps what’s needed, but will that affect HOA’s as well…

Celebrating the Legacy of Historic Brick Homes in Washington, D.C. - Explore the enduring legacy of historic brick homes in Washington, D.C., and the importance of preserving these architectural gems for future generations. https://hubs.ly/Q02FgrXR0