Historic Buildings and Contemporary Additions: The Elements of a Cohesive Design Relationship Zasha Natiana Guzmán Torres HISP 700 Master Final Project Spring 2009 ABSTRACT Title of Document: HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND CONTEMPORARY ADDITIONS: THE ELEMENTS OF A COHESIVE DESIGN RELATIONSHIP Zasha N. Guzmán Torres Master of Historic Preservation, 2009 Directed By: Dr. Donald W. Linebaugh, School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, University of Maryland, College Park With the rapid evolution of our lifestyles and the development of new technologies, it is important to find a way where old and new elements of the built environment can be represented in the future in a balanced way. Because the relationship between historic buildings and contemporary additions has always been a tension in the historic preservation field, this essay will analyze the relationship between old and new and seek to identify the proper balance between the two and explore its value for architecture and preservation. Key elements that allows historic buildings and contemporary additions to work cohesively, respecting and promoting each other’s architectural and cultural significance, are carefully examined. Historic research, surveys, and case study analysis are utilized to seek out specific design elements and patterns that can lead to the success or failure of the union between old and new. HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND CONTEMPORARY ADDITIONS: THE ELEMENTS OF A COHESIVE DESIGN RELATIONSHIP By Zasha Natiana Guzmán Torres Masters Final Project submitted to the Faculty of the Historic Preservation Program, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Historic Preservation 2009 Advisory Committee: Professor Donald W. Linebaugh, Ph.D. Professor Garth Rockcastle © Copyright by Zasha Natiana Guzmán Torres 2009 Dedication To Luis. For all your love, help, patience, and unconditional support. ii iii Acknowledgements I will like to thank Professor Donald Linebaugh for his support and suggestions for this project and throughout my time in this program; and my second reader, Professor Garth Rockcastle, Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation for his guidance on this project. I will like to express my grateful appreciation for the time and energy generously given by the following individuals. Without them, this report could not have been prepared. Angela Brownlee Christine Cestello-Hinojosa David R. Cheney, AIA, CORE architecture Ann D. Elsner, Duke University Cynthia Frank Ashley Jackson, Duke University Noraida Luyano Nancy Martin, University of Rochester Ann Turkos Prof. Robert L. Vann, Ph.D. Prof. B.D. Wortham-Galvin, Ph.D., and the Topical Studio Finally, I will like to extend a special thank you to my classmates with which I have shared this journey, and have been a great support and a excellent model for professionalism and hard work. Silver Spring crew… Thanks for those rides. iv