332 S Diamond St.

District: Warehouse - Full Control

Owner: John S Garner

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating:  Contributing

Applicant: John S Garner

Permit #: 23-26008-HDLC 

HDLC Design Guidelines: 

Section 08, Pages 5-9 of the Guidelines for Windows and Doors states that given the significance windows play in defining the architectural character of a building, the HDLC strongly encourages the repair of existing wood windows. If components are deteriorated, replace only deteriorated components to match. If a property owner wishes to pursue historic window replacement, they will be required to demonstrate that the existing windows are beyond repair and replacements are warranted. Today, a wide variety of materials are used in window production, however, replacement windows and their components tend to have significantly shorter life spans than historic wood windows. If replacement of existing wood windows is warranted, replacement windows should match the original size, shape, configuration, type, operation, materials, muntin pattern, dimensions, profiles and detailing to the greatest extent possible. The HDLC Guidelines do not permit the replacement of historic wood windows with vinyl or aluminum windows at street-facing elevations.

Staff Recommendations: 

The applicant has noted the existing wood windows and surrounding wood trim at the front elevation are continuing to deteriorate and so they are requesting to replace them with new  aluminum-clad wood windows to replicate the appearance of the original and to provide improved thermal and acoustic isolation at the interior.  The proposed replacement window is a high-quality Pella Lifestyle double-hung aluminum-clad wood window with 6-over-6 simulated divided light muntin grid. However, the HDLC Guidelines require that existing wood windows at street-facing locations must remain wood and the proposed windows include an exterior aluminum metal cladding that cannot be approved at the Staff level. The proposed windows otherwise meet the HDLC requirement that they match the original in size, shape, configuration, type, operation, materials, muntin pattern, dimensions, profiles, detailing, and they can be installed recess-mounted to match the current windows. Additionally, the windows are slightly less visually accessible because they are located at the 2nd and 3rd floor rather than at sidewalk-level, and the surrounding wood trim will be repaired and replaced with wood to match the existing. Based on these factors, Staff has no objection to the request for replacement with the proposed aluminum-clad wood windows.

• Staff Recommendation: No Objection