|
Guideline for Materials
In any rehabilitation work, preserving historic character should be given the highest priority. Therefore, to protect the distinctive character of an existing historic building, any new materials used should match as closely as possible the original materials.
The uniform identity created by the repeated use of masonry as the primary building material is very important to retain. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that new buildings in Historic Downtown Stoughton be constructed with facades of brick or stone. On a sitespecific basis, the trim materials of existing buildings to either side of the building being designed should be reflected in the design of the new building.
When cost or availability of a historic material makes its use prohibitive, and when a modern material can successfully be used to simulate the appropriate historic material, the use of a modern material should be allowed.
However, some modern materials, such as mirrored glass, rough-sawn shakes or diagonal wood siding, may be inappropriate to use on some of Stoughton’s historic commercial buildings. Inappropriate modern materials should be avoided.
In any rehabilitation or new construction project, the quality of finish materials varies widely. Use the highest quality facing materials you can afford.
Guidelines on Color
Colors should relate in a positive way to the natural materials found on the facade, and to existing elements, such as signs or awnings. Clean, with the gentlest means possible, such as light washing with light pressure (sandblasting destroys the brick by prematurely weathering and eroding its surface) the facade of the building. Select colors that
Use colors that are appropriate to the architectural style of the building.
Books like A Century of Color can help explain what schemes are appropriate to your building.
When the surface to be painted has a quantity of three-dimensional detail, use light or mid-range color values, rather than extremely dark colors, so the details are not hidden.
When in doubt on an appropriate palette, use shades of one color with one highlight color.
When choosing colors, take into account the position of the building in relation to sunlight.
Avoid the Boutique Approach for historic buildings.
|
