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Developement of Standards and Guidlines

"When both the disjunctive and stylistic unity theories are addressed at the same time, ambiguity and uncertain direction are the result. This uncertain relationship is expressed in the 1978 Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation Projects: Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historic, architectural, or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property, neighborhood, or environment.

This standard closely resembles one of the resolutions of the ICOMOS symposium in 1972. The later portion of the standard attempts to achieve a stylistic unity between old and new through the manipulation of the new building's size, scale, color, material and character. In this way, old and new can be blended together to prevent any disruption of the historic context. At the same time, a separation must exist between new and old to avoid damage or alter the interpretation and understanding of the historic structure and its context. "All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time." Infringement on that distinct time can not be allowed. Following the lead set in the "Old & New: Design Relationship" symposium favoring the disjunctive theory, the Guidelines for Applying the Standards, first published in 1979, recommends "using contemporary designs which are compatible with the character and mood of the building or the neighborhood" but does not recommend "imitating an earlier style or period of architecture in new additions except in rare cases where a contemporary design would detract from the architectural unity of an ensemble or group."


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