Page 36 - State College, PA Design Guidelines

06.28.2018 •

Accepted Treatments
The following is a list of approaches that are appropriate for contributing
properties.

Preservation

“Preservation” is the act or process of applying measures to sustain the
existing form, integrity and material of a building. Some work focuses on
keeping a property in good working condition by repairing character-defining
features as soon as deterioration becomes apparent, using procedures that
retain the original character and finish of the features. Property owners are
strongly encouraged to maintain properties in good condition.

Restoration
“Restoration” is the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features
and character of a property as it appeared in a particular time period. It may
require the removal of features from outside the restoration period.

Rehabilitation
“Rehabilitation” is the process of returning a property to a state that
makes a contemporary use possible, while still preserving those portions or
features of the property which are significant to its historical, architectural
and cultural values. Rehabilitation may include a change in use of the building
or additions. This term is the broadest of the appropriate treatments and is
often used in the guidelines with the understanding that it may also involve
other appropriate treatments.

Reconstruction
“Reconstruction” is the act or process of depicting, by means of new
construction, the form, features and detailing of a non-surviving site,
landscape, building, structure or object for the purpose of replicating its
appearance at a specific time and in its historic location.

Combining Treatments
While these terms are used interchangeably in informal conversation, the
more precise meanings are used when describing the overall strategy for a
contributing property.

For many improvement projects in State College, a rehabilitation approach
will be the overall strategy. Within that, however, there may be a combination
of these approaches as they relate to specific building components. For
example, a surviving porch may be preserved, a window opening that has
been altered may be restored, and a missing baluster may be reconstructed.

30 STATE COLLEGE, PA • HERITAGE STATE COLLEGE DESIGN GUIDELINES