Documentation​

Documentation is an essential part of architectural history. Measured drawings in particular provide an excellent way to visualize both the social history related to the evolution of a building and more technical construction details. Drawings and photography, when paired with written histories, create a comprehensive record of a building and its history. 

Photographic Documentation

Photographic documentation is the most basic form of documenting a historic building or landscape. Photographs visually capture a building or landscape's condition at a single point in time and can demonstrate a building's relationship to its surroundings. This form of documentation is occasionally required by local planning departments prior to rehabilitation or demolition of a historic building. It is also helpful for documenting a rehabilitation process, including before, during, and after photographs. 

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Measured Drawings

Measured drawings are a great way to visualize a historic building's floor plan, especially if there have been changes and additions over time. Interpretations of historic floor plans can also be produced, if architectural and documentary evidence can support a theory.

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Highlighting Past Restoration Work

Computer programs can help illustrate past rehabilitation work or construction phases. This elevation of a building on the University of Maryland, College Park campus visually depicts a repointing job, highlighting breaks in the mortar. 

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