Renovation

Properly maintained, older buildings are usually usable for centuries. Partly because the materials used were capable of lasting a long time under adverse conditions, restoring a sound older building is still more ecologically responsible than tearing it down and building a new energy-efficient building in its place. Materials such as old-growth lumber, hand-molded brick, stone, and plaster over lath are not generally available nowadays, but are most likely to be tossed into the landfill during demolition. Featured here are a residential and commercial project.

Residential

The first is a 19th century Indiana townhouse, which had suffered severe neglect. Since the structure was sound, care was taken to restore its original appearance where it could be reasonably determined. Where original elements had been completely destroyed, appropriate replacements were designed. The original siding was uncovered and restored, cellulose insulation blown in, the original weighted windows brought into working condition, and air-tight wood storm windows fabricated.

Commercial

The second project was a commercial building in downtown Elkhart, In. Originally a moorish-style four story building, it had been reduced to two stories with no permanent roof installed. The Elkhart Housing Partnership requested Pat Lynch and Hans Roegele to bring the building up to code, make the building weathertight, remedy structural issues, and provide four new apartments. Between code requirements, existing structure, and installation of a new HVAC system, over twenty wall types were developed. Original windows and exterior trim was to be restored to meet state DNR requirements, and interior trim and finishes were set aside for re-use, wherever possible.