no.2
If the porch is a prominent feature, DON'T
alter it!
::issueFOCUS:: Altering a historic porch design
::go to REHAB YES'S::
The
historic character...
This early 20th century frame house, built as one of many buildings in
a neighborhood of mostly single family dwellings, makes it somewhat unusual.
The twin-porch is its most distinctive feature, contributing both historically
and architecturally to the character of the house.
...and how it was lost in the rehabilitation.
To try to remedy water accumulation at the front steps, the owner connected
the two porches with a new, eight-foot section. This resulted in a long,
continuous porch—a horizontal design it did not have before work
when the twin porches provided separate entrances for the duplex. In addition,
the projecting center portion of the duplex is now completely obscured.
Because this inappropriately altered the building's exterior appearance,
the work did not meet Standard 2.
What should you know?
Porches are a typical and often dominant feature on the facades of many
residential buildings, yet represent that portion of a building that is
often subjected to change. The size of the porch, its architectural style,
the ornateness or simplicity of detailing, the sense of openness, and
features such as columns or balustrades are all important attributes.
Traditionally, porch roofs were pitched away from the steps and the building
in order to shed water properly. Rather than alter the historic roof design,
a better choice would have been to repair the porch and add gutters and
downspouts, as necessary, to correct the water problem.
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[TOP IMAGE] Twin porches prior to work. NPS Photos.
After work, one long porch and a new look.
Standard 2: The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
