Restoration Preservation

EIABC_AAU_ Under graduate_2021-22 Academic Year

Chair of Conservation of Urban and Architectural Heritage

Instructors: Yohannes Mekonnen

Historic Structure Report (HSR) PROJECT

I. HSR Structure Intermediate Submission Outline

1) Table of Contents

Please refer to the suggestions in your textbook for the appropriate format.

2) Introduction

The introduction is an overview of what is to come and, like an overture, a good introduction
prepares the audience by familiarizing them with the major themes that will be developed, but
without the level of detail and elaboration that will follow in the body of the work. It includes:

 A Statement of Purpose: A clear statement of purpose establishes what the reader should expect
from the document.
 A Brief Description of the Author(s): Readers will want to know who has prepared the report.
Therefore, the introduction should identify the authors responsible for the various sections,
giving a snapshot of their background, training, and area(s) of expertise.
 Previous Reports, if any: In some cases, previous reports, if they are brief and especially
pertinent, may be included as addenda to the document. In most cases, however, they can merely
be referenced and footnoted.
 Methodology: A general description of the methodology employed by the team to prepare the
HSR should be included in the introduction.
 Acknowledgments: Individuals who aided in the research and preparation of the HSR should be
acknowledged in the Introduction.
 Scope and Organization of the HSR: A brief discussion of the scope of the HSR (i.e., its focus
and its limitations) and the means of organizing the sections.
 3) The Historic Data Section:

Basic research should uncover all that can be known about the owners, occupants, designers, and
builders of the historic structure being studied, while focusing on the history as it relates to the
structures at hand. Various public records should be investigated for relevant information.
Photographic and other graphic records, especially of prominent structures, typically survive in a
variety of places: historical societies, libraries, attics, even flea markets can be treasure troves of this
kind of material for the architectural historian

List of Drawings and Illustrations:

A list specific to the visuals contained in the historic data section should be provided.

 Narrative: The narrative comprises the body of the historic data section. Most historic data
sections are written in chronological order, following the chronology of the structure.
 Summary and Recommendations:
4) The Architectural Data Section:

Conducting an inventory to determine the extent, age, and condition of the fabric will provide that
knowledge. Once the recordation and inventory are complete, the information can be assembled into
the architectural data section of the HSR. The architectural data section will include:

 List of Drawings and Illustrations: A strong architectural data section will be richly
illustrated. To help readers find pertinent illustration quickly, the section should provide a list
of drawings and illustrations in the beginning.
 Narrative: The narrative is the meat of the architectural data section. Not surprisingly, this
content is the focus of the cast majority of HSRs. The information presented in the narrative
is crucial to the success of the HSR.
 Summary and Recommendations:
5) The Structural Engineering Analysis:

The structural systems of historic buildings can be as simple as load-bearing, exposed masonry walls
(as in the case of adobe structures or log cabins) or as complex as unknown structural systems buried
beneath architectural finishes. Both archival resources and field examination are necessary to
determine the original structural systems and any additions or modifications that have been made to
them.

 List of Drawings and Illustrations: Almost all structural engineering sections include
drawings and/ or photographs.
 Narrative: the body of the structural engineering section provides the detailed data and
analysis on which its conclusions and recommendations are based. As described below,
several distinct approaches can be used to present the information: (1) Organize by structural
sequence; (2) Organize by structural systems; (3) Organize by compressive and tensile
components.
 Summary and Recommendations:

6) The Electrical Engineering Section:

The electrical engineer is responsible not only for the electrical systems within the historic structure,
but also all forms of lighting. These might include gas lighting systems and other forms of lighting,
such as chandeliers (hanging fixtures with candles), oil lamps, kerosene lamps, etc.

 Summary and Recommendations:

7) The Finishes Analysis Section (Finishes, Wood, Masonry & Plaster, and
Metal):

This section contains technical analyses of various materials that comprise the structures. The
materials typically fall into four categories: (1) finishes, (2) wood, (3) masonry and plaster, and (4)
metal. Although analysis of other materials may also be required depending on the structure, these
four types of materials constitute a vast majority of material analyses included in a HSR.

7.1. The Finishes (Paint) Analysis: More commonly known as paint analysis addresses the
problem of identifying the historic finishes that were originally applied to the surfaces of the
structure. The resulting report should provide all pertinent data related to the finishes.
 7.2. The Wood Analysis Section: Is the investigation of the wood components of a historic
structure and is a very valuable component of the HSR for several reasons. First and foremost
the analysis will determine the exact species of wood used in the building.

7.3. The Masonry Analysis Section: Most historic structures contain significant masonry
components. N.B. In this HSR, masonry will include not only the standard masonry
components of concrete, brick, and stone, but also glazed brick, terra cotta, tile, stucco,
plaster, and mortar.

7.4. The Metal Analysis Section: Metal applications in historic structures tend to fall into three
broad categories: structural (such as steel beams and columns), decorative (such as metal
sculptures or filigree work), and architectural (for uses such as roofing and flashing).

 Summary and Recommendations:

8. The Historic Landscape Section:

Historic landscape analysis is the study of landscapes not only as they existed at one point in time,
but as they evolved and changed over time. Like building materials exposed to the exterior
environment, plants are subject to a wide array of environmental forces, and can weather and decay
as well.

 Summary and Recommendations:

9. The Historic Furniture Section:

While one of the most visible elements, furnishings are probably the most evanescent features of
historic structures, other than the inhabitants themselves. A Historic Furnishings Report addresses
any and all furnishings that survive in a building and those of the historic period that do not.

 Summary and Recommendations:

10. Executive Summary:

The Executive Summary is an opportunity for the team leader to pull together all the disparate
sections of the HSR into a unified whole, and establish priorities among the recommendations of
each section so that the user of the HSR can grasp its overall perspective. The ES should consist of a
simple, straightforward narrative, which may be supplemented with charts and tables that summarize
key findings and recommendations.

11. Bibliography

Please refer to the suggestions in your textbook for the appropriate format.

II. HSR Intermediate Presentation Grading Rubric

2.1. CONTENT (10%)

1) Coverage and completeness of all the 11 sections

2) Depth of analysis of the structure
3) Detailedness of the descriptions and narrations
4) Quality of research, interviews and data collection methodologies
5) Accuracy of data, sources and references

2.2. PRESENTATION (10%)

6) Quality and detail of images, captions and drawings and labels

7) Quality of organization and layout of the report
8) Overall quality power point presentation
9) Oral Class Presentation

2.3. TOTAL GRADE OF PROJECT = 20%

Note- Since in the final presentation you are expected to propose one large compiled master
plan for the campus now include the immediate surrounding (landscape) to your projects not
only just a building you are interested in.
You are expected to prepare both

 HSR report - expected to be submitted in softcopy pdf format

 10min Power point presentation - short and precise extracted from the HSR report