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Now that you have learned something of the history, architecture, and character of German Village, you are ready to face the challenge - preserving and rehabilitating your building. These guidelines will help you decide which kinds of work are appropriate or inappropriate. They tell how you can best protect both your property's, and the entire Village's, character and uniqueness while still making your building modern, comfortable, and efficient.
Philosophy
The approach to rehabilitation put forth by these guidelines results from a simple philosophy:
the character, visual appeal, and economic value of the Village exist because buildings, spaces, sidewalks, streets, and trees have been preserved intact from the past in their historic app-earance and spatial relationship. Preservation, rehabilitation, and new construction intended to make the Village a vital contemporary neighborhood can, and should, be done in a way that does not disrupt or diminish its historic character.
 These guidelines encourage respect for the subtle differences between buildings that contribute to the Village's character. You can see these differences in windows that vary in size and shape, in roof pitches that differ, and in the patterns in roofing materials. Not all doors are the same size, and their placement in walls can vary. Though the Village may seem at first glance to be homogeneous, a closer look reveals the variety and originality in design that make the area
so appealing.
Interior Work
As you plan a project, consider the impact of interior work. Plumbing, heating, or electrical
system work, for example, is not subject to review if it has no exterior visual impact on the building. Nonetheless, this work can have a significant impact on character and historic integrity. Avoid removing original walls and partitions if at all possible. Also avoid, as much as possible, excessive cutting through or removal of walls, baseboards, and floors while installing mechanical systems. Try not to let your building become just a historic shell, with a completely new interior devoid of historic features.
Energy Conservation
Energy conservation efforts, too, can have a significant impact on your building's integrity. As you plan energy-related projects, keep these principles in mind:
Most energy loss is through air infiltration at doors and windows and through the roof, not by means of radiation through walls. Rather than adding sidewall insulation requiring plaster or siding removal, or interfering with interior trim, make sure your windows and doors are properly caulked, weather-stripped, and tight. Be sure, too, that they have good storm windows and doors.
Try to use storm windows over your building's old windows rather than replacing them with new insulated glass window units.
Be sure your insulation has a vapor barrier facing the interior or the warm side of a ceiling or attic. Insulating without a vapor barrier can cause moisture problems and can actually render your insulation ineffective.
Planning
Consider the long-term impact of the decisions you are making today. Step back and look at your building as a whole, not just at an air-conditioning project or a kitchen wing project or an insu-lation project. Think of all the things you may want to do to your building over several years. Then plan your project in manageable phases. Consider the cumulative effect of all your individual projects as the years pass. Will your building's essential historic character still come through, or will it somehow gradually slip away, almost unnoticed, under the weight of accumulated changes, additions, and "improvements?" Remember, the loss of historic character can actually diminish the dollar value of your building.
Preservation Briefs
As you read and use these guidelines, you may find it helpful to make frequent reference to Preservation Briefs. This series of technical pamphlets is published by the Preservation Assis-tance Division of the National Park Service. The pamphlets cover topics such as masonry cleaning, repointing and sealing; repair and replacement of historic windows; repair and replace-ment of wood siding; exterior paint problems; and how to deal with roofs. Preservation Briefs are available for review from the Commission Assistant at 588 South Third Street.
Preventive Maintenance
Equally important is regular maintenance of your property once you have completed its rehabilitation. Poor maintenance practices diminish historic character and property values just
as much as poor rehabilitation. Develop a seasonal inspection procedure in which you watch for trouble in gutters, downspouts, site drainage, and roofing materials. Look for evidence of moisture damage to wood and masonry building components. Find and correct the causes -
not just the symptoms - of any trouble right away. Guarding against the inadvertent erosion of the qualities we all find attractive in German Village is the most important thing you can do for your neighborhood.
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