Page 30 - State College, PA Design Guidelines

06.28.2018 •

Overarching Preservation

Guidelines and Principles

With an understanding of the basic concepts of historic significance and
integrity, it is important to consider the overarching guidelines that underlie
the more specific ones that appear later in this document. When beginning
a preservation project, there are many approaches that can be chosen.
Maintaining a high degree of integrity for a property is important, so the
first step should be to simply keep it in good condition, using accepted
maintenance procedures. However, if a character-defining feature is in
disrepair, then repair is preferred over replacement as it will help to retain
a higher degree of integrity. The following overarching guidelines describe
the preferred sequence of approaches in general terms. This sequence is
reflected throughout the design guidelines provided in Chapter 6.

2.1 Preserve and respect the historic character of a
property.
a. Preserve basic roof form and pitch, eaves and raised porch.
b. Maintain the orientation of the roof.
c. Do not try to change the style of a historic resource, mix ele-
ments of different styles, or make it look older than its actual
age.

2.2 Seek uses that are compatible with the historic
character of the property.
a. Converting a building to a new use different from the original
use is considered to be an “adaptive reuse,” and is a sound strat-
egy for keeping an old building in service. For example, convert-
ing a residential structure to offices is an adaptive reuse. A good
adaptive reuse project retains the historic character of the build-
ing while accommodating a new function.
b. Every reasonable effort should be made to provide a compatible
use for the building that will require minimal alteration to the
building and its site.
c. Changes in use requiring the least alteration to significant ele-
ments are preferred. In most cases, designs can be developed
that respect the historic integrity of the building while also ac-
commodating new functions.

24 STATE COLLEGE, PA • HERITAGE STATE COLLEGE DESIGN GUIDELINES