Tacoma Municipal Building – Condition Assessment

In 2019, Richaven Architecture & Preservation updated the Tacoma Municipal Building’s facade condition assessment using drone technology. Richaven demonstrated that there appears to be an increase in the number of points of deterioration on the building. Richaven also found that the severity of the observed issues appears to have increased across the board and that… Continue reading Tacoma Municipal Building – Condition Assessment

Sustaining Our 21st Century Community Through Preservation

An article by David Shribman in the Winter 2013 Notre Dame Magazine discusses the challenges to our community in the 21st century.  He postulates that “[t]he principal challenge facing the United States in the second decade of the 21st century is to adjudicate between the two social goods of conviction and compromise….” If this is… Continue reading Sustaining Our 21st Century Community Through Preservation

To whom are we conveying the significance of an historic structure?

When you evaluate the integrity of a building, and think about whether it’s in good enough shape to convey its significance, to whom do you imagine it conveying that significance? Or, of course, failing to convey it? Having served on Landmarks Commissions and other preservation related groups for nearly 10 years now, I find that… Continue reading To whom are we conveying the significance of an historic structure?

Martindale-Kvisvik Chicken House Emergency Stabilization Complete!

The emergency stabilization measures for the Martindale-Kvisvik Chicken House, Barn and garage have been completed.  Richaven worked in cooperation with the contractor to design the cost efficient stabilization measures in time to prevent further deterioration from the winter weather.  The project was completed under budget and gives hope that the structures will survive until they… Continue reading Martindale-Kvisvik Chicken House Emergency Stabilization Complete!

Washington Heritage Barn Program wins NTHP Honor Award!

Congratulations to the Washington Heritage Barn Program!  The program recently was given an Honor Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation at their annual conference in Spokane.  Richaven principal Brian Rich is a member of the Heritage Barn Advisory Committee and attended the awards ceremony.  Here’s the official press release from the National Trust… Continue reading Washington Heritage Barn Program wins NTHP Honor Award!

Richaven goes to Hanford!

An amazing tour through Hanford’s B Reactor where the plutonium was made for the bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Pop Quiz:  Do you know why there were two bombs dropped in Japan? Answer:  The first bomb was uranium and it was well known that there was a limited amount available in the world at the time.  The second… Continue reading Richaven goes to Hanford!