Heather L. Bailey’s Post

Buildings are more than scenery; they hold stories. Yet, older structures often fail to meet contemporary needs and face demolition, especially those with historical value, which sparks community controversy. Discover the potential for saving or repurposing these important buildings. Explore Historic Preservation! → https://lnkd.in/gN4EVmTS #HistoricPreservation #HistoricRestoration #EFIS

My friends: You probably know that I work in the preservation field. I love what I do. Each time you see an old, unique building or site in your downtown, please know that it wouldn't exist if it were not for 'curmudgeonly' preservationists who said that society values history, reflection, and reminders of our ancestors' cultural contributions (this history can also be complicated and up for debate, which I think is a beautiful thing). These places are under attack by so-called housing advocates who often label themselves "YIMBYS." There are a lot of flavors of preservation. That's the beauty of it. Preservation - I think - is at its core anti-uniformity and pro-individuality. Most YIMBYs (*not all) are primarily about uniformity, mass-production, corporate control. I am pro-housing, but YIMBYs call me anti-housing, just because I am critical of their well-funded special interests. My take: It's time that we - as a society - take a stand for our history (and also our self-determination). If you believe in stories and different perspectives, I hope you would support what I fight for on a daily basis. It's under attack. This is not hyperbole. Otherwise, all of our cities' landscapes will look all the same, and our stories will be erased... I hope that, some day, YIMBYs see the value in history. I'm afraid to say - as of now - they want to erase it. They have stated this on their public platforms. There is no negotiating with blind ideology... It appears to be an us vs. them mentality, which is never productive. If you're a YIMBY, please look at your leadership and read their social media postings about historic places.

Ever wondered where the phrase ‘daylight robbery’ came from? 🔨💡 Our property is a classic example! After the war, the government was short on cash and introduced a window tax. Many windows were bricked up to avoid paying it — reducing natural light and leading to the phrase "daylight robbery." This is exactly what has happened in our Victroian property. We'll restore this window by removing the brickwork to add more natural light to this amazing period property. It’s all about preserving the property's heritage whilst adding value. What’s the strangest thing have you uncovered in period properties? #PropertyRenovation #History #VictorianArchitecture #RenovationProject

https://lnkd.in/gGH497bc "And the line there is the 30th Street Industrial Corridor that was second only to the Menomomee Valley in terms of industrial jobs, and that has been pretty much hammered economically, and is now slowly but steadily coming back." 🔥 Fascinating History.

The city of Bristol suffered terribly in the War but the horror of indiscriminate destruction often spared the subterranean. One such survivor was this remarkable crypt from the 14th century, although the 18th century splendour of the church above, St Nicholas, was gutted. The shell was reroofed but it never came back into pastoral use, becoming from 1974 one of the country’s very few ecclesiastical museums. Churches attract thousands of visitors but museums dedicated to them tend not to do so (the principle exception being that named after St Mungo that sits near Glasgow Cathedral) and true to type it failed after several decades. In 2018, after a considerable injection of capital from The Church Commissioners, it came back into use as a place of Anglican worship and is now an Evangelical powerhouse aiming mainly at the young in what is a major university city. Now their attention is turning to the crypt. Whereas the body of the shell was in effect a blank canvas, given the inferno, the space underneath is decidedly not. It may look shabby but there is a richness to its appearance and an archaeological sensitivity that demands a respectful and gentle approach. The church appreciates it but we are involved in early discussions to make sure that these good intentions are carried through and there will be challenges – not least the desire for a lift which on present plans will pierce an 18th century stretch of vaulting. Upstairs we welcomed the plans to replace a truly unworthy glass and steel porch of 1976 but bridled at the interim designs for another entrance at the foot of the tower which were far too intrusive. And inside we haven’t given up hope of persuading the congregation to live with the huge painted altarpiece by Hogarth, the sole remaining exhibit from the defunct museum, that is now concealed behind a giant curtain and where the long term plans are to rehouse it in a new building at St Mary Redcliffe that many suspect will never see the light of day. #Bristol #Heritage #BristolHistory #HeritageConservation #Casework #Planning

Asha interviewed one of our clients about "why we should save old buildings" and about his historic home renovation, and she found herself inspired about history in a whole new way! Check out more of the interview on our blog. #historicbuildingrestoration #historichome #vaArchitect

One of the most significant projects I've ever worked on.

Too often, we forget that the buildings around us are not just a backdrop for our daily lives but have stories of their own. Unfortunately, older buildings sometimes do not meet the modern needs of the users so they are torn down and replaced. This can be very controversial in such instances where the building has historical significance to members of the community. In those cases, we can evaluate what it might take to save or repurpose the building. Learn more about the importance of Historic Preservation ‣ ‣ ‣ https://lnkd.in/gN4EVmTS #MasonryRestoration #StructuralRepair #HistoricRestoration #ConcreteRestoration #TerraCottaRestoration #TriscoInAction

Appreciating this summary of Penn's Preservation Futures: Society program on Platform. The discourse on outdated terms such as "preservation" and "heritage" and how they don't necessarily reflect the layers of community value in historic places is much-needed. I'm inspired by Fallon Samuels Aidoo's shift in her approach to her work: "Aidoo has also created a method of working 'in between.' She trained in a labor-intensive documentation method that involves 'meticulous attention to the object' with its character-defining features and alignment with the canon. Yet as she engages with local heritage stewards, she finds less and less use for the old ways. Instead, she asks stewards what they find valuable about their sites, landscapes, and places; what values are important to keep; and what conditions are eroding those values. Her scholarship exemplifies a decentering of preservation from the protocols of 'professionalism' that place a distance between expert knowledge and the societies it serves." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gHeKpmHk

It’s a difficult question: Preserve our past, or evolve for the future? We’re privileged to manage some of the UK’s most beautiful and iconic heritage buildings – as well as the spaces in between them. But this isn’t without its fair share of challenges. Many of the buildings that are inextricably linked to our nation’s history, culture and identity are not built to modern standards. This presents a direct conflict between the need to preserve our rich history, and the need to create sustainable and inclusive spaces – with net zero and accessibility being essential points of consideration. The truth is, the solution isn’t simple – but it’s one we’re committed to. As a company for the country, we must build for the people and places of the future, without losing sight of our duty to act as stewards of the past. Got something to say on this issue? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. #heritage #westend #historicbuildings