Page 87 - State College, PA Design Guidelines

• 06.28.2018

Special Considerations

In addition to maintaining the character-defining features of a historic
building in good condition, there are often additional considerations
for property owners to make a building more livable and useful, and to
modernize a building. The following guidelines address some of these
additional considerations. For more information about making a historic
building more accessible, refer to Chapter 3: Additions.

ENERGY CONSERVATION AND GENERATION
Improvements to enhance energy efficiency and energy collection should
retain and complement the original building, site and its context. Locate energy-generating technologies to
minimize impacts to the historic character of the
site and structure. (San Jose, CA)
Maintaining Inherent Energy Efficiency
The sustainable historic building features and systems should be maintained
in good operating condition.

6.38 Preserve the inherent energy efficient features of the
historic building in operable condition.
a. Identify a building’s inherent sustainable features and systems and
maintain them in good condition.

Enhancing Energy Performance
Install collectors on an addition or accessory
Improvements to enhance energy efficiency and energy collection should be building. (Boulder, CO)
planned to retain and complement the original building. The structure, form
and materials should be sensitively improved in energy efficiency terms to
preserve the building’s character.

6.39 Use noninvasive strategies when applying
weatherization techniques.

a. Weather-strip original framework on windows and doors.
b. Install additional insulation in an attic, basement or crawl space
as a simple method to make a significant difference in a building’s
energy efficiency. Provide sufficient ventilation to avoid moisture
build-up in the wall cavity.
c. Install weatherization strategies in a way that avoids altering or Place collectors to avoid obscuring significant
damaging significant materials and their finishes. character-defining features or adversely affecting
the perception of the overall character of a
d. Use materials that are environmentally friendly and that will not property. (Boise, ID)
interact negatively with historic building materials.

CHAPTER 6 • TREATMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES • ADVISORY 81