CPG was engaged to assist with the historic rehabilitation tax credit application and provided critical building treatment recommendations to ensure a successful project.
Commonwealth
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Building Documentation & Scanning
Historic Building Renovation
Historic Research
Historic Tax Credit Consulting
Local Design Review Consulting
Resilience Planning
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Partners
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Kerns Group Architects
Project Goals
Designed by prominent architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, St Paul’s Episcopal Church is a c1818 Gothic Revival style building located in the heart of Alexandria. In 2017, the church underwent a renovation to address water damage and update HVAC systems and finishes throughout the complex.
Project Design
At the start of the project, the building was challenged by water issues due to the improper slope of the modern plaza. Water drained toward the building, ultimately causing damage to the stucco finish on the exterior and plaster walls and ceilings on the interior of the primary entrance vestibule to the historic church.
The project team determined that a change in slope of the modern plaza would provide the best solution to the water infiltration issue. Once finished the damage to the stucco and plaster could be addressed.
Challenges & Accomplishments
In order to protect the historic character of the building, the HVAC systems had to be sensitively placed to have little to no impact on historic features on the interior and exterior of the building; this was particularly challenging in the densely developed Old Town Alexandria, as the building did not have adequate site to place the units.
The mechanical layout required new HVAC chases to be placed in the sanctuary, which retains a number of important architectural features. To eliminate impact on historic features, the chases were added in the rear of the sanctuary and sensitively placed to eliminate any visual impact. On the exterior, the HVAC units were strategically placed on the roof of the modern additions to eliminate the visual impact to the historic church building. The HVAC system for the entire church complex was successfully replaced and the overall project met the Standards for Rehabilitation.