Page 99 - Waxahachie, TX Residential Design Guidelines

Additions to His toric residentiAl Buildin gs

c h a p t e R 5 : a d d i t i o n s

t o h i s t o R i c

R e s i d e n t i a l b u i l d i n g s

Additions are often desired to increase livable area on a historic
property. Additions to historic buildings include existing additions
as well as new additions, and in some cases, existing additions
may be historically significant in their own right. When designing a
new addition to a historic structure, consider the effect it will have
on the structure. The guidelines in this chapter focus on designing
an addition to avoid any negative impacts to the historic structure.
While the choice of a style is not a concern of these principles,
there is an awareness that each property has some style that helps
define its character. Additions that reflect elements of the existing
predominant style, in a more simplified way, reinforce the character
of the historic structure. Those elements that seem unintentionally
foreign to the individual property and detract from the overall
design should be minimized. The design of an addition should
also consider maximizing the potential for environmental benefits.
For instance, the design should take advantage of existing site
features, the orientation of the property and its prevailing wind
and solar patterns. Along with physical building additions, the
construction of an accessibility solution, such as a ramp, may be
needed for some residential historic structures. These are covered
in Chapter 4: Treatment of Historic Resources, on page 87.

Waxahac hie Residential design guidelines 91