Restoration Preservation

EIABC_AAU_ Graduate_2020-21 Academic Year

Chair of Conservation of Urban and Architectural Heritage

Instructors: Yohannes Mekonnen

Historic Structure Report (HSR) PROJECT

I. HSR Structure Final Submission Outline

1) Table of Contents

Please refer to the suggestions in your textbook for the appropriate format.

2) Introduction

The introduction is an overview of what is to come and, like an overture, a good introduction
prepares the audience by familiarizing them with the major themes that will be developed,
but without the level of detail and elaboration that will follow in the body of the work. It
includes:

 A Statement of Purpose: A clear statement of purpose establishes what the reader

should expect from the document.
 A Brief Description of the Author(s): Readers will want to know who has prepared the
report. Therefore, the introduction should identify the authors responsible for the various
sections, giving a snapshot of their background, training, and area(s) of expertise.
 Previous Reports, if any: In some cases, previous reports, if they are brief and
especially pertinent, may be included as addenda to the document. In most cases,
however, they can merely be referenced and footnoted.
 Methodology: A general description of the methodology employed by the team to
prepare the HSR should be included in the introduction.
 Acknowledgments: Individuals who aided in the research and preparation of the HSR
should be acknowledged in the Introduction.
 Scope and Organization of the HSR: A brief discussion of the scope of the HSR (i.e.,
its focus and its limitations) and the means of organizing the sections.

3) The Historic Data Section:

Basic research should uncover all that can be known about the owners, occupants,
designers, and builders of the historic structure being studied, while focusing on the history
as it relates to the structures at hand. Various public records should be investigated for
relevant information. Photographic and other graphic records, especially of prominent
structures, typically survive in a variety of places: historical societies, libraries, attics, even
flea markets can be treasure troves of this kind of material for the architectural historian

List of Drawings and Illustrations:

A list specific to the visuals contained in the historic data section should be provided.

Narrative: The narrative comprises the body of the historic data section. Most historic data
sections are written in chronological order, following the chronology of the structure.
Summary and Recommendations: [For Final Submission]

4) The Architectural Data Section:

Conducting an inventory to determine the extent, age, and condition of the fabric will
provide that knowledge. Once the recordation and inventory are complete, the information
can be assembled into the architectural data section of the HSR. The architectural data
section will include:

 List of Drawings and Illustrations: A strong architectural data section will be richly
illustrated. To help readers find pertinent illustration quickly, the section should
provide a list of drawings and illustrations in the beginning.
 Narrative: The narrative is the meat of the architectural data section. Not
surprisingly, this content is the focus of the cast majority of HSRs. The information
presented in the narrative is crucial to the success of the HSR.
 Summary and Recommendations: [For Final Submission]
 5) The Structural Engineering Analysis:

The structural systems of historic buildings can be as simple as load-bearing, exposed

masonry walls (as in the case of adobe structures or log cabins) or as complex as unknown
structural systems buried beneath architectural finishes. Both archival resources and field
examination are necessary to determine the original structural systems and any additions or
modifications that have been made to them.

 List of Drawings and Illustrations: Almost all structural engineering sections

include drawings and/ or photographs.
 Narrative: the body of the structural engineering section provides the detailed data
and analysis on which its conclusions and recommendations are based. As
described below, several distinct approaches can be used to present the information:
(1) Organize by structural sequence; (2) Organize by structural systems; (3)
Organize by compressive and tensile components.
 Summary and Recommendations:

6) The Electrical Engineering Section:

The electrical engineer is responsible not only for the electrical systems within the historic
structure, but also all forms of lighting. These might include gas lighting systems and
other forms of lighting, such as chandeliers (hanging fixtures with candles), oil lamps,
kerosene lamps, etc.

7) The Finishes Analysis Section (Finishes, Wood, Masonry &

Plaster, and Metal):

This section contains technical analyses of various materials that comprise the structures.
The materials typically fall into four categories: (1) finishes, (2) wood, (3) masonry and
plaster, and (4) metal. Although analysis of other materials may also be required depending
on the structure, these four types of materials constitute the avast majority of material
analyses included in a HSR.
 7.1. The Finishes (Paint) Analysis: More commonly known as paint analysis
addresses the problem of identifying the historic finishes that were originally applied
to the surfaces of the structure. The resulting report should provide all pertinent data
related to the finishes.

7.2. The Wood Analysis Section: Is the investigation of the wood components of a
historic structure and is a very valuable component of the HSR for several reasons.
First and foremost the analysis will determine the exact species of wood used in the
building.

7.3. The Masonry Analysis Section: Most historic structures contain significant
masonry components. N.B. In this HSR, masonry will include not only the standard
masonry components of concrete, brick, and stone, but also glazed brick, terra
cotta, tile, stucco, plaster, and mortar.

7.4. The Metal Analysis Section: Metal applications in historic structures tend to fall
into three broad categories: structural (such as steel beams and columns),
decorative (such as metal sculptures or filigree work), and architectural (for uses
such as roofing and flashing).

8. The Historic Landscape Section:

Historic landscape analysis is the study of landscapes not only as they existed at one point
in time, but as they evolved and changed over time. Like building materials exposed to the
exterior environment, plants are subject to a wide array of environmental forces, and can
weather and decay as well.

9. The Historic Furniture Section:

While one of the most visible elements, furnishings are probably the most evanescent
features of historic structures, other than the inhabitants themselves. A Historic Furnishings
Report addresses any and all furnishings that survive in a building and those of the historic
period that do not.
10. Executive Summary:

The Executive Summary is an opportunity for the team leader to pull together all the
disparate sections of the HSR into a unified whole, and establish priorities among the
recommendations of each section so that the user of the HSR can grasp its overall
perspective. The ES should consist of a simple, straightforward narrative, which may be
supplemented with charts and tables that summarize key findings. An effective ES should
include the following:

11. Bibliography

Please refer to the suggestions in your textbook for the appropriate format.

II. HSR Final Project Grading Rubric

2.1. CONTENT (35%)

1) Coverage and completeness of all the 11 sections …………………..10

2) Depth of analysis of the structure …………………..…………………..10
3) Detailedness of the descriptions and narrations ………………………5
4) Quality of research, interviews and data collection methodologies ….5
5) Accuracy of data, sources and references …………………..…………5

2.2. PRESENTATION (15%)

6) Quality and detail of images, captions and drawings and labels………5

7) Quality of organization and layout of the report …………………..…….5
8) Overall quality power point presentation …………………..…………… 2.5
9) Oral Class Presentation …………………..…………………..………….. 2.5

2.3. TOTAL GRADE OF PROJECT – 50%