Each May, Historic Preservation Month reminds us of the significance of our architectural past. But for those responsible for the stewardship of aging buildings—particularly in places like Boston, New York City, and other historic Northeast communities—preservation isn’t a once-a-year celebration. It’s an ongoing exercise in risk management, informed decision-making, and technical due diligence.
At Duffy Engineering, we approach preservation not just as a matter of historical respect, but as a highly technical endeavor rooted in building science. Whether you’re managing a campus chapel built in 1928, a turn-of-the-century brownstone now used as administrative offices, or a mid-century sanctuary with original stone cladding, our work is focused on preserving what matters while ensuring long-term performance.
Preservation Isn’t Just Cultural—It’s Strategic
Preservation in our world is about extending the useful service life of buildings—whether or not they have official landmark status. Many of the buildings we assess weren’t designed with modern energy standards, waterproofing detailing, or even sufficient documentation. This introduces a high level of risk, particularly when:
- You don’t know what’s behind the walls.
- You’re trying to modernize while retaining original character.
- You’ve inherited undocumented “repairs” from decades past.
Managing those risks begins with having the right consultant team in place early.
Preservation Requires More Than an Architect’s Eye
Aesthetic compatibility is just one piece of the puzzle. Behind every piece of ornamental terra cotta or leaded glass window is a host of technical questions:
- What’s the load path for this assembly?
- Are there embedded steel components that are corroding?
- Is the material breathable or vapor-trapping?
- How will replacement materials interact chemically or thermally?
Our work involves peeling back the layers—sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally—so we can test, document, and model what’s going on. Destructive probes, ASTM field methods, and moisture mapping are not academic exercises; they are risk mitigation tools.
For a useful resource on concrete deterioration mechanisms frequently seen in historic masonry and concrete buildings, see ACI’s Visual Inspection Guide (ACI 201.1R-08) or ASCE’s Guideline for Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings (ASCE 11-99).
Reducing the Unknowns, One Investigation at a Time
Every restoration project starts with uncertainty. Our job is to reduce that uncertainty through:
- Infrared thermography and core sampling
- Mortar petrography and historic material compatibility testing
- Flashing probe verification and reinforcement continuity assessments
We’ve seen owners move forward with expensive façade restoration scopes only to find post-bid that embedded anchors are missing, or that efflorescence was a symptom of concealed water migration from an upper parapet. Those surprises are expensive. The earlier we get involved, the more preventable they become.
Managing Preservation Work for Modern Performance Goals
While historic commissions and aesthetic committees are concerned with preservation, your board of directors or building owner is equally—if not more—concerned with:
- Energy performance
- Life safety
- Water infiltration
- Maintenance costs
- Regulatory compliance
We routinely help clients navigate between aesthetic requirements and contemporary needs. That might include:
- Substituting impermeable coatings or paint with breathable alternatives.
- Designing historically accurate but code-compliant roof systems.
- Identifying the proper materials to utilize for stone or concrete restoration without compromising historic facades.
Preservation is a Team Sport
Property managers and facility directors often find themselves caught between historical integrity and budget constraints. That’s why collaboration is key. As building envelope consultants, we routinely work with:
- Architects and preservationists to ensure sensitivity to original materials.
- MEP engineers to verify how changes affect dew points and condensation risk.
- Contractors and craftspeople to sequence work in a safe and efficient manner.
Early involvement of the building envelope professional is critical, especially when the full scope of work hasn’t yet been defined. We’ve been brought in after award too many times, tasked with “just producing drawings” without the benefit of early exploration—resulting in rushed documents, unexpected change orders, and avoidable delays.
Preservation that Performs
The goal isn’t just to preserve a building’s appearance—it’s to make it perform. Whether you’re planning capital improvements to a historic church, repositioning a mid-century institutional building, or navigating a façade ordinance inspection, the approach should be grounded in performance, not guesswork.
If your organization is planning restoration or adaptive reuse efforts, on an existing building, whether it was built in 1802 or 2022, talk to a building envelope consultant early.
Kevin M. Duffy
Principal
Duffy Engineering
