PRESERVATION STUDIES & DOCUMENTATION

HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORTS

Historic Structure Reports describe the physical history of a building from its origins to the present day. They account for each visible element, including decorative details, structural members, hardware, doors and windows, flooring, and even mechanical equipment. They can be informed by technical analysis, as well, including dendrochronology, cross-section paint analysis, and archaeology. Many clients also seek assessments of conditions as part of an HSR, including evaluations of structural and mechanical systems.  

With its emphasis on current conditions, an HSR is a snapshot of a building in time but it also provides a comprehensive history of its ownership and use. These reports provide stewards of historic properties a full record of a building’s history in much more detail and depth than a regional survey or a national register nomination can provide. For historic house museums, they support the public interpretation of their largest and most valuable asset. For colleges and universities, they provide essential educational material as well as direction to facilities maintenance staff. For all owners of historic properties, they provide detailed information about the most important and most historic features that give a building its distinctive character. MCWB Architects has prepared Historic Structure Reports on the following buildings:

CONDITIONS ASSESSMENTS

A Conditions Assessment is a study focused on evaluating and documenting the existing state of a historic building, recording deterioration, and providing treatment recommendations based on observed conditions. The scope and depth can range from broad-based assessments prepared for grant applications or fundraising to comprehensive studies that examine each architectural system and space in detail, and are typically developed in response to a client’s needs and budget. These reports generally include a brief overview of the property’s history and significance to provide context for the evaluation and an overview of known changes.

The physical assessment systematically documents the materials, design, and current condition of all features, beginning with the building exterior and proceeding through each floor and room. Structural and mechanical systems are addressed similarly when included within the study’s scope. Treatment recommendations consider the nature and integrity of the historic fabric and are typically prioritized by urgency to aid in future planning. Floor plans, elevations, and annotated photographs generally supplement the written findings.

The term “Conditions Assessment” can also be applied to more narrowly defined surveys of isolated building components. These may be limited to defined areas, such as exterior condition assessments, or to specific architectural systems, as in the case of windows, masonry, or roofing surveys. These are typically conducted at a greater level of detail and often include specific quantities and cost estimates. These reports are most useful when beginning to plan, prioritize, and budget for specific repairs or restoration work, as their focused scope and detailed findings can be incorporated into work schedules and construction documents. MCWB Architects has prepared Condition Assessments on the following buildings:

PRESERVATION PLANS

A Preservation Plan is a focused study prepared in advance of a specific repair, restoration, or improvement project to inform the design process and ensure work is planned and carried out appropriately. Unlike a full Historic Structure Report (HSR), it has a narrowly defined scope, incorporating only the archival research and physical investigation necessary to support its recommendations. These plans are typically used for projects involving historic fabric or original material, the restoration of altered or missing elements, or work that could inadvertently impact historic spaces such as systems installations or changes in use. While they share similarities with HSRs, Preservation Plans may only provide an abbreviated history of construction, ownership, and/or significant events, limited to what is directly relevant to the project at hand. They are not intended to serve as a complete documentary record of existing conditions, as a full HSR would.

MASTER PLANS

A historic preservation master plan is a comprehensive planning document that evaluates a historic site as an integrated whole, addressing not only its buildings, but landscapes, infrastructure, interpretation and operation, among other subjects.  It establishes a clear vision, direction, and purpose for the site’s stewardship. Unlike other preservation planning documents, a master plan moves decision-making beyond isolated repair projects to a coordinated understanding of how all parts of the site function together, where deficiencies exist, and where opportunities for improvement can strengthen preservation, interpretation, and operation of the site. It establishes standards and guidelines for future work and creates a shared framework for administrators and staff to make consistent, informed decisions.

The master plan translates this vision into an actionable roadmap. It outlines phased recommendations, sequencing, budgets, and responsibilities for addressing preservation needs, infrastructure upgrades and landscape and site improvements over short-, mid-, and long-term timelines. It identifies research and documentation needs and opportunities to enhance visitor experience and community engagement while protecting historic integrity. By linking preservation priorities to maintenance cycles, funding strategies, and measurable benchmarks, the master plan becomes both a strategic and practical tool, reducing reactive decision-making, supporting fundraising and grant efforts, and ensuring that the historic site is responsibly managed, interpreted, and sustained for decades to come. MCWB Architects has prepared Master Plans on the following buildings:

CAMPUS HERITAGE PLANS

Campus heritage plans provide essential information about the history and significance of every building on campus within a specified date range. They include an inventory of every structure, from telephone exchange buildings to classroom facilities to campus chapels. They provide a date of construction and a thumbnail history for each, illustrated with drawings, photographs, and other materials from campus archives. Heritage plans also contextualize work on individual buildings within the larger history of the campus. Providing a carefully researched inventory of historic architectural resources, they are an essential management tool for historic colleges and universities. MCWB Architects has prepared Campus Heritage Plans on the following campuses: