Preserving California's Vernacular Architectural Heritage.
The Winter Farm barn. Circa 1920 with a few structural accretions and modifications. This barn, structurally, was in very good condition. We have replaced the siding on the south side. On the western side, the old barn-wood siding was in rough but complete condition. We decided to clad it with tin to protect the old siding and to preserve the old barn feeling inside.
The Winter Farms Water Tower. This historic building was in utter disarray. Tilting as it melted back into the earth, it was facing immanent collapse. Plumbed and trued, this building can expect a second lifetime. (Sherwood Forest Timber Frames, Paul Oatman General, Sherwoodforesttimberframes.com)
The Three 'R's. These three terms define our philosophical approach to the preservation of California's vernacular architecture. Not all buildings require the same approach–some require all three.
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Restoration embraces a historical respect for the men and women who worked to build and make a livelihood within these buildings. It is our responsibility to bring the spirit of their experience back into the structure that is may speak of their lives to us. Our restorative practices are an effort to bring the building as close to an original state as we can deduce as the building shares its story with us.
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Renovation efforts make new the old, to repurpose the building, or to modify and modernize the structure so it can serve a contemporary purpose. Expanding doors to accommodate larger equipment, Shifting tie-beams to accommodate hay or fodder. Renovation brings the building back into use.
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Revitalization is the bringing of new life to the building. Creating new purpose or maintaining old purpose but returning the building to a youthful state inside–from foundation to rafters.