True Tales From Old Houses

148: Christopher Brandt - Architect by Day, Preservation Hero by Night


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In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy and Daniel discuss practical solutions for damaged wood floors in a folk Victorian farmhouse and chat with preservation architect Christopher Brandt.

First, Stacy and Daniel offer some personal project updates, including the mad scramble to complete outdoor tasks before the cold weather arrives.

Then, During listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel explore the practicalities and aesthetics of refinishing and living with gappy wood floors. They discuss the historical accuracy of finishes and creative alternatives like passive restoration and painting, all while weighing the balance between preserving historical integrity and ensuring modern livability.

Next, they are joined by Christopher Brandt, a preservation architect at Bero Architecture in Rochester, New York. He discusses his passion for restoring old buildings, including his modest 1920s Tudor Revival. The conversation explores the unique history of his house as a master model home and the quest to balance preservation with personal style. 

He shares his experiences in researching and documenting the history of his house, as well as the challenges and rewards of preserving its original features. Christopher also talks about his role on the Historic Preservation Commission and the effort to establish a National Register Historic District in their town. He highlights the importance of community support and the impact of historic preservation on the overall character and identity of a neighborhood. 

Finally, Christopher discusses his work as an architect at Bero Architecture, specializing in historic preservation projects.

Mentioned in this Episode

  • Restoring Your Historic House (affiliate link - book)  by Scott T. Hanson
  • The History of Splatter Painted Floors (with photos)
  • The History of Fred P. Tosch and the Model Master Homes (Blog article by Christopher Brandt)
  • James H. Johnson Mushroom House (article)
  • Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
  • Association for Preservation Technology International (APTI)
  • Follow Christopher Brandt on Instagram
  • Learn more about Bero Architecture 

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.

Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.

Abatron - Manufacturer of WoodEpox and LiquidWood, perfect for wood rot repair. Use the coupon code true2024 to save 10% off your order from Abatron.com.

Noonan Heritage Craftworks - Learn how Noonan Heritage Craftworks can help you with your exterior project using traditional materials. Schedule a phone call, video conference, or email consultation with Joseph Parente today.

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True Tales From Old HousesBy Stacy Grinsfelder

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