The built environment stands as a vital physical link to the historical and architectural development of the city of Indianapolis. The buildings which make up Historic Meridian Park are regarded as landmarks in our personal and societal development by providing a sense of time and place. For these reasons, the need to preserve and protect the distinctive qualities of historically and architecturally significant buildings or districts is essential in enhancing the quality of life in our city.
This document has been compiled to provide residents and property owners of Historic Meridian Park (HMP) with a set of guidelines to assist residents and property owners in determining appropriate exterior modifications. This document was carefully developed using the The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties: http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/standguide. The full HMP document can be found at the renovation guidelines page. Following are examples of some common modifications in HMP.
EXISTING BUILDINGS
BUILDING MATERIALS – Appropriate
Wood – Retain original exterior wood siding and trim materials through repair, cleaning, painting, and routine maintenance procedures. Preserve original architectural details and features which characterize the building exterior around and including windows, doors, porches and eaves or replace by using components of the same material and design when deteriorated beyond repair.
Masonry – Maintain masonry through proper tuck pointing, and cleaning when necessary. Mortar joints shall be re-pointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when mortar has deteriorated and allows water to penetrate the building through the joint. Pointing mortar shall duplicate the original in composition, strength, color, texture, joint size, method of application, and joint profile. Remove deteriorated mortar by hand raking or a manner equally sensitive to the historic material. Clean, when necessary, by the gentlest method possible so that the original color and texture of masonry surfaces are preserved (i.e., low pressure water, natural bristle brushes). In some instances, stronger chemicals may be necessary such as muriatic acid and paint strippers (follow manufactures instructions and test in inconspicuous location)
Stucco – Maintain stucco surfaces through gentle cleaning and repainting when applicable. Use a stucco mixture which duplicates the original in composition strength, texture, and general appearance to repair damaged surfaces.
Terra Cotta – Retain and preserve architectural terra cotta elements through a program of regular inspection, caulking and replacement of missing pieces, and re-pointing of joints with a mortar compatible to the original in composition, strength, texture, and color. Undertake cleaning with low pressure water, detergent, and natural or nylon bristle brushes.
Architectural Metals – Identify, retain, and preserve architectural metal features, such as columns, capitals, window hoods, and stairways (including finishes and colors) that are important in defining the overall historic character of the building. Protect and maintain architectural metals from corrosion by providing proper drainage. Clean surfaces, when appropriate, using the gentlest means possible for the particular metal, to remove corrosion prior to repainting or applying other appropriate protective coatings. Repair architectural metal features by patching, splicing, or reinforcing the metal following sympathetic rehabilitation methods. When possible, limit replacement only to extensively deteriorated or missing parts of a feature using in kind materials. If an entire feature is deteriorated beyond repair, replacement units must duplicate the original form and detailing based on physical or photographic evidence.
BUILDING MATERIALS – Inappropriate
The application of siding materials not consistent with the character or style of building or unavailable when the building was constructed and therefore is foreign to the structure, (such as artificial stone or brick, asbestos or asphalt shingle, insul-brick, plywood, particle board, hard board, and aluminum or vinyl siding) is inappropriate.
Because artificial sidings have been documented to cause serious, costly, and often irreparable damage to underlying materials and structural members, HMP has determined that the use of these siding materials in rehabilitating historically designated properties is inappropriate and incongruous with the goal of preservation. Furthermore, the use of artificial siding materials in new construction projects is considered inappropriate and incompatible with the character of designated historic districts. For these reasons, HMP discourages the use of artificial sidings in local historic districts.
Do not use abrasive cleaning methods, such as sandblasting, on any exterior surface. These methods of cleaning erode the material’s surface which allows moisture to accelerate deterioration and changes the original texture and appearance of the building material.
Do not repoint masonry with a mortar incompatible with strength, composition, color and texture of the original. Pointing mortars with high Portland cement content create a bond stronger than the building material itself. Electric saws should not be used to remove mortar as they can cause serious damage to the adjacent brick and change the joint size.
Removal of sound paint from historically painted masonry surfaces is inappropriate. Some buildings are constructed of softer brick and were originally painted for protection; removal of intact painted surfaces may hasten deterioration of the exposed surface. A test patch should be tried before extensive paint removal is attempted.