HPC of South Bend and St. Joseph County - Standards Update Draft

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 82 For More Information: Cornices and Parapets Cornices are the decorative overhangs at the top of a storefront or building. They are features that define the architectural look of a historic building and should be preserved . Traditionally cornices are made of pressed metal secured to a wood frame that is attached to the building . Cornices can also be made from the materials of the building itself such as brick, stone, terra cotta, and, on older build-ings, can even be wood . These caps to commercial building facades work together along the street to provide a repetition that builds the character of the district and the visual continuity of the block . The National Main Street Center offers the following guidance on cornices here . Best Practices If your building has lost its cornice—removed entirely or stripped of some of the details, then consider restoring it . Spend some time looking for historic images of your building or the downtown to gain a glimpse of what may have been in place originally . Absent direct evidence look for examples on similar-age buildings and design guides as you will find links to below. Budget constraints may limit the ability to replicate a missing cornice. In that situation, a simplified interpretation may be appropriate if evidence of the original is not available, or incomplete . Removing or replacing an original cornice with an alternative material is discouraged, replacing with synthetic materials such as vinyl and fiberglass deemed inappropriate. Keep your metal or wood cornice painted and maintain mortar joints on masonry cornices . Inspect the cornices on the roof side to ensure that water is kept out . Water that gets behind the cornice will lead to failure . Return to the Table of Contents Cornices and Parpets DRAFT