Leaks.

Cracks.

Tight spaces.

Inaccessibility.

Budgets.

Approvals.

Complex strategic planning.

Old buildings can be overwhelming.

With our expertise, you can make big decisions, responsibly and confidently.

From building forensics to sustainable retrofits to accessible design to reuse - we know how to help you achieve great things with your historic property.

Our projects often start with “I have a strange question to ask you…” Historic buildings frequently come with challenging problems, so complicated that it’s not always evident what the root of the problem is.

We listen to you and your building to identify the problems first so that we can design the appropriate solutions to resolve those problems.

Process

1. Research

Dig deep in the archives, talk to site users, and do everything we can to understand the building's origins and evolution, including materials (which are sometimes old and obscure), construction methods (ditto!), and overall history.

2. Investigate

Assess the existing conditions using the latest methods and technology (including thermal cameras, drones, borescopes, and moisture meters) and best practices along with time-proven techniques developed over our decades of experience.

3. Analyze

Process our findings, in collaboration with the client and other team members, to determine underlying problems and map out the best path forward. Sometimes this requires creativity and innovation, but we always figure it out.

4. Design

Translate our research, investigation, analysis, and client feedback into the very best design for a building’s next era. Make it all work for present-day needs and the client’s goals while helping the original architectural character shine.

Services & Areas of Expertise

Pierre Bottineau House

Restoration

Restoration is the art of returning a building to an earlier, historic appearance. It requires careful sleuthing and a keen eye for detail to determine things like original paint colors and window locations.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

Preservation

Preservation keeps a building in excellent shape. It identifies character-defining features and other components that should be saved even as other things may change.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Pierre Bottineau House

    - Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

Adaptive Reuse/Rehabilitation

Adaptive Reuse/Rehabilitation allows buildings to take on a new life, different from the original use. We've converted courthouses into museums, churches into condos, and farmhouses into coffee shops.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

Investigation & Assessment

Assessing a building involves a forensic examination of the structure, including its current condition and its evolution over time, allowing us to identify underlying problems and their causes.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Pierre Bottineau House

    - Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

Archival Research

Archival research helps us understand the full story of a building and its origins, occupants, evolution, and historic context. We love poring over old documents to find hidden details.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

Historic Structure Reports

A Historic Structure Report (HSR) tells the story of a building, including its developmental history, significance, and current conditions, using a standard format from the National Park Service.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Pierre Bottineau House

    - Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

Preservation Planning

A plan is an essential tool, especially when it’s unclear how, exactly, a building, complex, or district should be treated. We work with clients to determine short-, medium-, and long-term goals and how to meet them.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

New Construction / Additions

Existing buildings are our focus, but we also provide services for new construction and additions. We're particularly adept at designing in period styles or to complement a historic context.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Pierre Bottineau House

    - Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

Worship Spaces

Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other sacred spaces all speak to their worshippers’ needs, traditions, and values. We ensure the essential spirit of place is preserved even as the structure evolves.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

Modern-Era Buildings

The recent past is a particular interest and expertise of ours, including preserving structures of the mid-twentieth century—the Modern era. Read more about our Modern work.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Pierre Bottineau House

    - Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

Nonprofits / Legacy Grants

We appreciate the importance of local historical societies, museums, and similar organizations. We enjoy helping them be stewards of the local past, including through Minnesota Legacy Grant projects.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

Consulting / Collaboration

We play well with others and have partnered with some of the nation’s largest firms, using our specialized expertise to make their projects shine. We can help fill in gaps, bridging history and design.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Pierre Bottineau House

    - Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

Historic Tax Credits

Both the state of Minnesota and the US federal government offer tax credits for qualified historic preservation expenses. The application process is rigorous and detailed, but we know it well.

  • - Purcell-Cutts House

    - Christ Church Lutheran

    - Pierre Bottineau House

That pesky problem you need help with…

Historic buildings and their issues often don’t fit into neat categories. We can help you.