Building History Survey BHS
Over the past few years, we have prepared several building history surveys (BHS) for protected buildings. The purpose of building history surveys is to describe the history and current situation of a building, as well as to create a foundation for the property’s development and repair measures.
In projects currently in the zoning phase, a building history survey is prepared for the target buildings and their immediate surroundings. In many cases, the city museum guides the preparation of the survey, and in addition to the client, a zoning officer often participates in the meetings. In addition to the building’s history, the survey describes the development and change of the surrounding environment up to the present day.
The building history survey currently underway for Wihuri in Aviapolis, Vantaa, describes, among other things, the history of the operations of a company specializing in earthmoving machinery. In a corresponding survey we previously prepared for the neighboring property of Wiima, we focused on the history of Finnish bus body manufacturing.
Preparing the building history survey for Valio’s Dairy School and its properties in Hämeenlinna opened a perspective into the history of Finnish dairy education and the dairy industry. The survey we prepared serves as a basis for the future development of the properties and the area.
The building history survey we prepared for the Tapiola shopping center, designed by architect Aarne Ervi, is an important piece of research considering the entire Tapiola center designed by Ervi and the future protection of the buildings. In the facade renovation of the shopping center currently being planned, it has been of paramount importance to prepare a history survey before drafting the actual implementation plans. We prepared the building history surveys for the Merirasti chapel and community center taking into account the upcoming architectural competition for the multi-purpose building as part of the changing built environment of Merirasti. The buildings were designed by architect Kaarlo Leppänen and are well worth preserving in their own right.
