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2s Wee The Inside Guys.

Character home renovations
may require architect’s advice

MANY PEOPLE planning a home renovation, especially
when their house has some historical significance, consider
consulting an architect to help with the redesign of their

homes.

Some typical homeowner ques-
tions are answered here by the
Aschitectural Institute of British
Columbia (AIBC). ;

Because my house is 2 character
house, is there any restriction on

_what I can do?

It is understandable that as the
owner of an older character home
— whether it is an Edwardian
home or a 740s post-and-beam
house — you may want to update
wiring and plumbing or even
change the function of some of

’ the rooms.

Legally, you’re entitled to do
so. Provided you work within
local zoning and buiiding codes,
you can make exterior changes,
too, unless you live in a neigh-
borhood or municipality which
has legal design guidelines to en-
sure that the general character and
ambience of the area are main-
tained.

Unlike a registered heritage”

house {considered to be of such
historical or artistic importance
that legislation protects it from
demolition or major structural
change), a character house has tc
rely on the goodwill of a sym-
pathetic owner to respect its orig-

’ inal good design.

To encourage that, British Col-
umbia’s Heritage Conservation
Branch will provide owners with
recommended rehabilitation
guidelines.

Some communities have set up
heritage foundations which con
provide grants to assist owners of
character or heritage houses with
the restoration of exterior

‘features, such as siding, porches,

and even roofs, which are seen by
the public.

How can au architect help with
my renovation — especially a
smali one?

As the owner of a character
house, you usually have two op-
tions: to restore or maintain the
house in its original condition, or

to renovate it in order to fit your

needs today, while still retaining
much of the character and pbysi-
cal structure of the house. Most
people choose to renovate... With
the help of an experienced ar-

chitect, you can have that extra’
-bathroom or. enlarged ‘-kitchen
.. Without destroying the value —

both esthetic and financial — of
the house.

Architects are the first to ap-
preciate that houses, like peopie,
have to grow and change to meet
new demands. -

At the same time, they
recognize the importance of
preserving original architectural

master plan designed to fit your
budget will save you money in the
long run.

What should I bring to the pro-

* ject?

features. Integral features such as
porches, staircases or wood
panelliag can be retained.

In addition, you are not limited
to simply copying existing features
when you renovate or put on an
addition. A good architect can
coms up with a ’90s design which
still respects the original character
of the house. ‘The same materials
may be used, but in an entirely
different, contemporary way.
Proportions, colors and lities can
be echoed without turning into
mere historical repticas.

The earlier you get an architect
involved, the better. He or she can
advise you on what the current
condition of the house is and what
the ultimate configuration — and
cost — of the house could be.
Structurally, it may involve much
more than a quick paint-and-
fix-up job. If you haven’t yet

Most of us know what we'd
like, but we’re not sure how to get
it. Telling your architect what
your needs, wishes and expecta-
tions are will go a long way to
getting what you want.

The best clients bring an open
mind and an eagerness to par- —
ticipate in the process.

How do I select an architect for
this kind of work?

Look for an architect who al-
ready has some experience
renovating character homes. .Such.

architects already know contrac- | .

tors who take pride in doing. this
type of work. They also know the
best sources for everything -from
kitchen door fixtures to carpeting,.
tiles and flooring materials which -
would be appropriate for your
character home. Uitimately you |
will make the choice, but. it will
cut down your shopping time.

44 Be willing to think beyond this

year to your long-term wish list for
the house, if you have one.¥9-

bought the house, knowing this
could affect your decision.

On the other hand, a simple
reorganization of interior space
may be all you need, instead of
the more expensive addition you
thought was the only solution.

‘An extra bedroom can be col-
lapsed to get that extra bathroom.
Collapse.it in the right place, and
the house jumps into the 90s with
a master bedroom with an ensuite.

What ere the dangers of trying
to do it myself?

In many cases, the house. will -

already be non-conforming, and
you will have to go to your board
of variance for approval of future
changes. You may find your pro-
posed changes don’t comply with
local zoning or building codes.

Even owners who meet the code
sometimes find they’ve spent a lot
of money renovating their charac-
ter house only to find that what
they’ve done now detracts from
the resale value of the house.

It’s also ail too easy to think .
immediate changes .-

only about
which need doiag. This can be
expensive. Part of this year’s new.
roofing job, for example, may
have to be ripped off in three
years to accommodate an addi-
tion.

Be willing to think beyond - this
year te your long-term wish list
for the house, if you have one.

Even if you’re re only able to do the.

first _ Phase this year, a Phased

Ask potential architects ‘and

contractors for the names. of...

former clients. Talk to. . these
clients ‘and find. out’ if ‘they're
happy with the work done. Equal-
ly important is to ask: what. may
have gone wrong along..the way
and how the architect handled.
probiem. ;

Renovations are not.- without
problems. What - is important. : ‘is
that ultimately the problems” ‘are
solved to your satisfactis i

sev

tions _available:* How:

Tariff.on Fees;- Architects.

also offers an. advisory
each Saturday morniag-

that’s best for you and ‘show: you
how to get the best value for you
investment doltars. _

The AIBC. is. a self-goveraing
body dedicated to promoting ani
increasing . the” knowledge, :

‘ and. proficiency of. its members ‘in;

all things relating to’ the: practice’.
of architecture, - the - allied ~ arts,
science’ and: professions ©.and ~
forcing the Architects Act. . 4

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