Our experienced professionals at Thor and Partners are well-versed in historic preservation and restoration techniques, and we have the skills required to restore older buildings to their former glory. However, before we can start working on repairing and restoring historic buildings, we’ll need to conduct a thorough heritage building analysis first.
A heritage building analysis is designed to give property owners all the information they need to know about the structural stability and condition of their building. The main goal of a heritage building analysis is to ensure that all preservation or restoration strategies are accurate, compliant, and long-lasting, and this requires several steps.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about what’s included in a heritage building analysis, we’d like to go over some key steps below.
- Historical Research. First, our team will dive into the history of the building to learn about its original construction methods, materials used, the community or cultural significance, the architectural style, and other important facts.
- Detailed Visual Assessment. Our team will examine the building from top to bottom, both inside and out, to look for signs of deterioration, corrosion, and other damage. We’ll also take note of decorative finishes, structural elements, architectural details, and other features that make the structure unique. Throughout the process, we’ll take photos and notes to document our findings.
- Structural Evaluation. To determine the materials used and the structural integrity of the building, we may take material samples, calculate load capacity, and pay close attention to areas in need of reinforcement or repair.
- Regulatory and Restoration Reviews. By the end of the heritage building analysis, we’ll have professional recommendations for the appropriate repair and restoration methods.