Protecting Richmond’s Historic Integrity

History is the study of the past, "the branch of knowledge that deals systematically with the past; a recording."

-- Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language -- College Edition. Richmond is a charming city with a wealth of historic districts and architecture that convey its remarkable history. Each building tells a story about when it was built and who lived there.

A modest 1850s frame cottage, a 1900s brick rowhouse, or an elaborate 1920s townhouse -- each offers an entirely different image of time and place. Neighborhoods, like Jackson Ward and Spring Hill, are living historic records, where each building is a physical record of when it was built and the changes that have taken place in that neighborhood over time.

In Richmond, "City Old and Historic Districts" are created to protect this physical record of history. The integrity and genuineness of buildings in designated historic areas are protected by zoning regulations. The Commission of Architectural Review is charged with overseeing changes in these designated historic districts by providing guidance for the design of new construction and alterations to existing buildings.

The objective of the commission is to preserve the integrity of the historic districts by maintaining the authenticity of the architectural record. For example, it is inappropriate to copy or use a salvaged architectural element from one old house and put it on another old house without proof, such as physical evidence or a photograph, that this element once existed on that house. It would be similar to taking the tail fin of a 1957 Chevrolet and putting it on a 1959 Cadillac. This is not an authentic change and is a dishonest depiction of the past.

Historic neighborhoods have grown over time and are made up of buildings from various periods of history, with a variety of architectural styles adjacent to one another. These styles inform us of our history and depict the passage of time. Older historic buildings are different from newer historic buildings.

The principles used for guiding new construction in historic districts support the continued differentiation between old and new architecture and the continued evolution of architectural styles. It is disingenuous to copy or mimic historic buildings within historic districts. Duplicating historic buildings not only diminishes the importance of the original, but also dilutes the integrity of the historic neighborhood with fakes, no more authentic than adding bunkers to a historic battlefield or across the street from a historic battlefield site.

Architectural styles are constantly evolving and reacting to previous periods and embracing new building technology. Jefferson's design for the Virginia Capitol was radical, ground-breaking, and modern for its time. New buildings and additions in historic districts should be of their time, just as each preceding style was of its time. The principles used to guide new construction in our districts support continuing this differentiation between older and newer architecture.

As history continues, these principles ensure that a hundred years from now, today's buildings will blend in with their neighbors. The fabric of the historic districts will remain intact so that our children's children will be able to see the evolution of Richmond's architecture in our city's historic districts.

David Johannas, AIA, is chairman of Richmond's Commission of Architectural Review Contact him at .