How to maintain heritage homes 

Architecture and construction have been evolving through time. New designs are being developed, and in the process, the old must give way to the new. Older structures are torn down as newer ones are designed and built in their place, according to a report by Manila Times.

However, there are those who choose to keep their homes the way it is albeit with some renovations and refurbishments. Their reasons range from waxing sentimental to maintaining a legacy. While Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is the best example of preserved old houses, there are several others found elsewhere. The occupants may be the current generation but somehow, they are able to maintain the old façade and even the interior.

Maintenance

In stating the obvious, it is important to get the services of an engineer or architect as they possess the technical expertise on how to go about preserving old homes. There are several things to consider before taking steps to maintain old homes. According to architect Rene Luis "Jojo" Mata of the Heritage Conservation Society, one thing that needs to be taken into consideration is to know the legal status of the house — know who has a stake in the house. Architects and engineers need to talk to the owners to determine the best course of action. While the wishes of the owners must be respected, it is also important to enlighten them on the pragmatic aspects or to make sure whatever decisions they make are grounded on reality, based on the expert opinions of the architects and engineers.

Architect Gerard Rey Lico, who has done numerous preservation and restoration projects, agrees with this and adds that the reason for doing research first is to see if the changes to be introduced "can be reconciled with the heritage value of the house." The challenge would be to preserve the integrity of the house with minimal disturbance of the original materials.

While the house may look old on the outside, you can put modern fixtures inside. It is all a matter of building around the existing structure.

"Certain character-defining elements must be preserved to ensure that the house retains its spirit and recognizability while accommodating the needs of the current residents and stakeholders. Any interventions to introduce new additions to the property must respect the original house," Lico added.

Regular maintenance keeps old homes still looking good despite their age. Old materials are replaced with newer ones. If original materials are hard to come by, newer materials are used. Wooden materials are often replaced as they age and can break down after being exposed to the elements through the years. But those are not the only ones. Even metal fixtures like gutters should be replaced once they become rusted as they tend to become brittle. If this will be the case, Mata said it is important to check if they can be compatible with old ones.

Relocation

While some old homes are torn down to give way to the new, there are cases when it would be relocated. There is a need to preserve the property and if it cannot be done in its current location, relocating is the other option. Lico shared one instance when this happened.

"In one of my projects involving a 1920s ancestral property, there was a need to relocate the house since the descendants divided the property as such that one got the actual structure while another descendant got the land where it was located. In this case, the house was transferred to a site a few meters away from the original location, so it was decided to push through with the relocation since it was still within its community. We obtained the necessary permits from heritage agencies to be able to do this since the property was a presumed important cultural property due to its age," he said.

However, Lico added that this should not always be the case. Relocation is not always the answer in order to preserve an old house, most especially if it has historical significance.

"Relocation is a delicate matter which needs to be balanced with what the stakeholders want. Ideally, we retain a heritage property in situ because its heritage value is tied to its context. Once a heritage site is relocated, its heritage value changes as well or may be diminished because it is no longer linked to its community. There are times when relocating them is necessary, or the last resort to preserve them and prolong their existence," he explained.

Lico cites the case of the Alberto house in Biñan, Laguna. This is the home of Rizal's maternal relatives and where he most likely stayed when he had his first formal education, which could not be had in Calamba. Prior to its restoration, the home was dilapidated and would have been totally demolished had it not been for the intervention of the local government.

"As in the case of the Alberto House in Biñan, transferring the house to Las Casas (in Bataan) was a decision of the family, but the house itself is a prominent part of local and national heritage, hence the local government intervened to prevent the full relocation of the property," he said.

Although many prefer living in homes based on present-day architecture, there are still a handful who chose to retain the old-style architecture of their homes though they would find ways around in introducing modern features. They probably do not realize that they are not just preserving a home, they are also preserving a cultural heritage or a link to the past. Through these homes, we get a glimpse of what architecture is like back then.