A Passion for Heritage – Page 2 – Older Homes, New Ideas, and Sustainable Structures

Heritage and Storytelling – It’s Not Always the Perfect Fairy Tale

We hear a lot about the importance of storytelling these days – to sell a product, introduce a new idea, or attract new customers – and heritage preservation is in so many ways about storytelling, a building has value because of the stories it plays a key part in. However, as I was reminded recently at a spirited lunch discussion, part of the challenge is also examining perceptions of how Vancouver has become what it is today, acknowledging the historical facts that may get in the way of what we want to believe, and our willingness to listen, then change or adapt our thinking.

Garbage Collection, Building Code, and Unexpected Challenges

Burnaby, where I live, recently moved to bi-weekly garbage collection, which has made me realize how much of our household garbage is plastics – not a comforting observation for anyone trying to live more sustainably. So what do municipal services have in common with heritage? Lots, especially when you discover that oil-based products are key components in the BC building code’s new energy efficiency requirements. I’m glad the code includes allowances for alternate solutions when renovating heritage homes, but since, for many people, retaining heritage character and value is interlinked with sustainability, there are definitely some new challenges in achieving current standards of energy use.

There’s No Place Like Home

What makes a heritage building worth retaining? It’s more than just bricks, wood, and mortar, it’s memories, both past and current, and a sense of emotional connection to the structure and area.

A visit to Kits Neighbourhood House recently, including a fascinating discussion of it’s history in the community, reminded me how critical the feelings of home, comfort, and belonging play in heritage preservation.

Sometimes There is Good News

In the past few weeks, I read three pieces of good news about heritage buildings.

First, the BC courts have upheld Vancouver’s protection of older homes in the First Shaughnessy area. Although the by-law isn’t perfect, I strongly believe in being more pro-active to save our heritage buildings, and this is one way of doing so.

And, a LinkedIn post described how older industrial buildings are being converted to funky office spaces, making the business case that it’s a wise move for building owners. The article cites buildings in New York and Chicago as examples, and I’m sure there are lots more. (Here’s where you can read more: http://tinyurl.com/jbmab8a)

Lastly, the City of Kelowna transferred a local heritage site, St. Aiden’s Church on Rutland Road, to an organization that will restore the building and site, so it will be used regularly by the neighbouring community members. It isn’t a large church, nor is it on a big plot of land, but this action too says our history is worth keeping.

RIP – Another Family Home

An empty house was demolished in our neighbourhood yesterday, and while the tell-tale signs that the event was imminent were all there – gas cut off, trees around the house cut down, asbestos removal crews present the week before – it was still a shock to hear the excavator start up and begin banging at the building this morning. Somehow our lack of respect for older homes seems far more upsetting when it’s on my own street a few doors away.

Like Minds, But Not-So-Changing Times

I picked up a copy of Vancouver Vanishes recently, what a great read! Some of the buildings mentioned are familiar, others too late to know. The book is both discouraging and uplifting, with loving tales of home ownership and interesting people, plus John Atkin’s essay “Demolition: It Happens” puts some interesting historical context into today’s events. It’s troubling to think Vancouver’s demolition habit hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years.

A Visit to Where Heritage Preservation Is Normal

It’s easy to forget how young Vancouver is, until you visit eastern Canada, where they’ve been building homes and businesses since the 1500’s. Even outlying areas, like the Quebec’s Eastern Townships, have structures built in the mid 1800’s that are still in daily use. Historical plaques in front on many tell the ownership story, and point out interesting features. I’m not sure if these plaques make visitors and locals appreciate heritage more, however with so many well-loved vintage buildings, they seem to be the norm, not the exception, in most communities. Nor are older homes being demolished on a regular basis. I’m still pondering this different perspective, and how we can encourage it here in Vancouver.

Love of Heritage – Where Does It Begin?

I do contract work in post-secondary education, and have the opportunity to meet some bright, articulate, and interesting students. Many have a clear sense of direction and purpose, which was established several years before they started college or university. Which brings me to wonder if the love of, and appreciation for, heritage structures begins much earlier in life? We spend much of our time trying to convince grown-ups how important this is, often with little success, so perhaps we need to divert some energies to speaking with younger people in primary and secondary schools.

Empty Homes

A 1919 Vancouver Sun article was titled, “A City’s Soul Lies in Its Homes,” and the many empty homes we see in our neighbourhoods today remind me that’s so true. It’s difficult to describe “soul” – it often has a fuzzy, non-quantifiable feeling about it, one that more practical people dismiss. Miriam-Webster’s dictionary describes it in part as “the ability of a person to feel kindness and sympathy for others,” and perhaps it’s that lack of consideration for our fellow Vancouverites that’s most bothersome. Fortunately on my street, two of the homes recently sold to developers will have tenants for some time, but sadly one Vancouver Special has sat empty and deserted for several months.

Kitchens – Heritage In a Nutshell

As I toured the homes featured in this years’ VHF Heritage House Tour, three words were in the back of my mind: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and how the decision to focus on one – or more – of these is such a contentious one, with so many ramifications. The other word that kept coming up is kitchen: so often it’s where choices made are most evident, and personal taste so prominent (pun intended). Ironically many people who believe in heritage conservation today are also great cooks, something that would likely shock their homes’ original owners.