Illustrated Handbook for Historic Commercial Buildings

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How to use this handbook This illustrated handbook is intended to help property owners, building managers, and professionals conduct preliminary assessments of 1920s masonry buildings with wood structural systems. Whether you are exploring the potential for repair, planning a thorough rehabilitation* project, or simply trying to understand the condition of a building, the identification of typical issues found in historic commercial buildings will help you make informed decisions. Although the handbook is not a substitute for professional evaluation, but rather to equip you with enough understanding to approach preservation work thoughtfully and responsibly. It introduces basic methods for conducting a preliminary visual assessment, offering clear steps to recognize signs of wear, deterioration patterns, structural issues, or material deterioration. By observing closely and asking the right questions—What is damaged? Why is it failing? Can it be repaired?—you will be better prepared to determine the scope of interventions needed and when to seek professional help. It is important to note that this is not a one-size-fits-all methodology. Because each building presents unique challenges, the handbook is intended to offer guidelines and tools rather than prescriptive solutions. It emphasizes the importance of consulting specialists like structural engineers, preservation architects, or materials conservators when needed. This document is also intended to serve as a companion to the Standards and Guidelines of the City of South Bend and St. Joseph County, developed by the Historic Preservation Commission. It supports the Commercial Standards section, expanding on its recommendations with diagrams, photographs, and practical examples relevant to early 20th- century masonry structures. * Rehabilitation, as defined by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, adapts historic properties for new uses while preserving their historical and architectural significance. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties: Rehabilitation as a Treatment and Standards for Rehabilitation. National Park Service. Last updated February 1, 2024.