Purpose of Design Guidelines

CHAPTER 1:
PURPOSE OF DESIGN GUIDELINES
HOW WILL THESE DESIGN IN THIS CHAPTER:
GUIDELINES BE USED? • How Will These Design Guidelines Be Used? . . .3
Property owners may use the information included
• Basic Principles for Historic Preservation . . . . .5
in these guidelines to assist them and their design • Structure of Design Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . .8
professionals in planning an approach to projects to • Which Design Guidelines
repair, rehabilitate, or alter properties with historic Apply to Your Project? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
designation, including both individually listed sites and • Benefits of Preserving Historic Structures . . . . 10
property located within designated historic districts. • Planning a Preservation Project. . . . . . . . . . 13
For certain historic districts, the Historic Preservation • Design of Alterations,
Commission (HPC) uses district-specific guidance New or Infill Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
adopted as part of the designation process. Under the • Responsibility of Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . 14
HPC’s Rules, Guidelines and Procedures, district-specific
guidance takes precedence over other review criteria in
any cases where the review criteria are in conflict. See
Chapter 5 for additional information about each historic
district, including whether specific guidance has been
adopted.

The guidelines articulate the approach that the

Montgomery County HPC uses in administering its
review authority over designated historic sites. The
guidelines are a statement of existing HPC policy and
practice in the review of HAWP applications, and not a
new policy direction. Based on nationally accepted historic
preservation best practices tailored specifically for the
range of historic resources found in Montgomery County, The design guidelines will be used to help property owners and design
the guidelines will not change review criteria currently in professionals make informed decisions about their preservation or
place such as existing district-specific guidelines. Owners rehabilitation project.
are encouraged to review these guidelines, along with
other adopted review criteria, when planning a project
in order to ensure that the work contemplated will help
preserve the historic character of their property and/or
neighborhood.

Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts 3

Purpose of Design Guidelines

In addition to the criteria outlined above, the HPC also

The Montgomery County Historic Preservation uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards (see below) and
Ordinance and its related executive regulations stipulate any district-specific guidelines included in the Master
the criteria the HPC is to use in the review of projects. Plan. Historic districts with specific design guidelines are
Chapter 24A-8 directs the HPC to review applications
noted in Chapter 5; The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
to ensure that a project:
for Rehabilitation appears in Appendix A.
• will not substantially alter the exterior features of
a historic site or historic resource within a historic
As of 2008, Montgomery County has designated
district;
twenty historic districts, totaling nearly 2,400 properties,
• is compatible in character and nature with the
and approximately 400 individual historic sites in the
historical, archeological, architectural or cultural
Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.
features of the historic site or the historic district
Individually designated sites and properties located within
in which a historic resource is located and would
these districts are subject to the Historic Preservation
not be detrimental thereto or to the achievement
Ordinance, Chapter 24A of the County Code. Owners
of the purpose of this chapter;
of these properties are required to submit a Historic Area
• would enhance or aid in the protection, preservation
Work Permit (HAWP) for exterior modifications to their
and public or private utilization of the historic
property. The HPC and their professional staff within
site or historic resource located within a historic
the Montgomery County Planning Department will use
district in a manner compatible with the historical,
these guidelines in the evaluation of projects subject to
archeological, architectural or cultural value of the
their review.
historic site or historic district in which a historic
resource is located;
For most exterior alterations to designated properties,
• is necessary in order that unsafe conditions or
the County Code requires that a property owner obtain
health hazards be remedied; or
a HAWP before the applicant files for a building permit.
• is necessary in order that the owner of the subject
A HAWP is not required for interior changes, ordinary
property not be deprived of reasonable use of the
maintenance, in-kind repair of exterior features,
property or suffer undue hardship.
or selection of paint colors. The County Historic
Preservation Ordinance requires a HAWP for projects
involving “construction, reconstruction, moving,
relocating, demolishing, or in any manner modifying,
changing, or altering the exterior features” of designated
Definitions: Ordinary Maintenance and In-Kind properties. HAWPs are also required for projects that
Replacement would change features within the environmental setting
of a historic site, erecting fences, or installing signs.
Ordinary Maintenance is defined as “work on a historic
site or a historic resource within a historic district which
The design review process applies only to proposed
does not alter in any way the exterior features of the
subject property, including architectural style, design,
actions initiated by a property owner. While the design
and general arrangement of the exterior, as well as review process may guide an approach to certain design
the nature, texture, details, and dimensions of building problems by offering alternative solutions, the process
materials, windows, doors, siding, etc. This definition does not dictate a specific outcome nor does it require
applies, whenever appropriate, to the appurtenances a property owner to instigate improvements that a
and environmental setting of a historic site or resource, property owner has not contemplated. For questions
as well as to the building, structure, or object itself.” regarding HAWP applications and the applicability of
(Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures,§1.1 (f)) these guidelines, please contact the Montgomery County
Planning Department Historic Preservation Section.
In-Kind Replacement requires that the new feature
exactly match the old in design, color, texture, and
materials (Secretary of the Interior’s Standards #6, see
Appendix page APP-1).

4 Montgomery County, Maryland

 Purpose of Design Guidelines

BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment

of Historic Properties
HISTORIC PRESERVATION The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
These design guidelines incorporate principles set Treatment of Historic Properties include guidelines for
forth in The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the four treatment approaches: Rehabilitation, Preservation,
Treatment of Historic Properties, which provide guidance Restoration, Reconstruction. For additional information
on four approaches to the treatment of historic about the Standards for the Treatment of Historic
properties: Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Properties, see http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/
Reconstruction. The treatment most often undertaken standguide/.
for projects reviewed by the Historic Preservation
Rehabilitation: the process of making possible a
Commission is “rehabilitation,” and the design guidelines
compatible use for a property through repair, alterations,
that follow are consistent with The Secretary of the Interior’s and additions while preserving those portions or
Standards for Rehabilitation (referred to in this document as features which convey its historical, cultural, or
“The Secretary’s Standards”). architectural values.

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards are general Preservation: the process of sustaining the existing
rehabilitation guidelines established by the National form, integrity, and materials of a historic property,
Park Service. The rehabilitation standards are used by generally focusing upon the ongoing maintenance and
the federal and state government, as well as by historic repair of historic materials and features rather than
extensive replacement and new construction.
preservation commissions nationwide, in the review
of historic preservation projects, and the Montgomery
Restoration: the process of accurately depicting the
County Historic Preservation Commission uses these form, features, and character of a property as it appeared
standards in the review of all Historic Area Work Permit at a particular time by means of the removal of features
applications. from other periods in its history and reconstruction of
missing features from the restoration period.
The Concept of Historic Significance
Reconstruction: the process of replicating the
In order to be designated, properties must be determined
appearance of a no longer existing structure by means
to have “significance.” What makes a property significant?
of new construction.
Significance stems in part from age, in part from
“integrity,” and partly from possessing characteristics
meeting one or more of the criteria the County adopted to
establish historical/cultural and/or architectural/design
significance.

It is generally recognized that a certain amount of

time must pass before the historical significance of a
property can be evaluated. Criteria for listing resources
in the National Register of Historic Places, the federal
government’s list of historic properties, suggests that a
property be at least 50 years old or have extraordinary
importance before it may be considered for listing.
Montgomery County generally follows this practice for
designating sites and districts in the County Master Plan
for Historic Preservation.

Historic sites and districts possess a period of

significance—that is, a timeframe during which the site
or district acquired its historic, cultural, or architectural
importance. A site or district is significant in part because
it represents or is associated with a particular period or
date in history. For an individual building, the period

Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts 5

Purpose of Design Guidelines

of significance may be its date of construction through

dates when significant additions or alterations were made,
or a timeframe when the building was associated with a
significant personage. Portions of the building and its
fabric that date from the building’s period of significance
typically contribute to the character of the building,
while later fabric may not. A historic district’s period of
significance may, for example, represent the timeframe
from when the first buildings were constructed through
when the development characterizing the district ceased.
Buildings constructed during that period may contribute
to the district, while buildings constructed after the period
of significance may not.

Individual sites or districts must possess integrity in order

to be designated. In order to have integrity, a building or
district must retain a sufficient percentage of fabric dating
to the period of significance and its character-defining
features should remain largely intact. In other words,
architectural details – such as windows or porches – and
the overall mass and form of a building or district should
be recognizable as a product of its time in order for the
building or district to have integrity.

Montgomery County’s historic preservation ordinance

establishes that a property may be significant if it meets
one or more of the following criteria:
• possesses character, interest or value as part of the
development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of
the County, state, or nation;
• is the site of a significant historic event;
• is identified with a person or group of persons who
influenced society;
• exemplifies the cultural, economic, social,
political or historic heritage of the County and its
communities;
• embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period, or method of construction;
• represents the work of a master;
• possesses high artistic values;
• represents a significant and distinguishable entity
whose components may lack individual distinction;
or
• represents an established and familiar visual feature
of the neighborhood, community, or County due to
its singular physical characteristic or landscape.

6 Montgomery County, Maryland

 Purpose of Design Guidelines

Alterations Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for

Many historic houses have experienced alterations over Rehabilitation #4: Changes to a property that have
time, as design tastes changed or need for additional acquired historic significance in their own right will be
space occurred. Traditionally, additions were subordinate retained and preserved.
in scale and character to the main building. Alterations
were often executed using materials that were similar to Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
those in use historically. Rehabilitation #9: New additions, exterior alterations,
or related new construction will not destroy historic
Some early alterations may have acquired historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that
characterize the property. The new work shall be
significance in their own right. Additions or alterations
differentiated from the old and will be compatible
constructed in a manner that was compatible with the with the historic materials, features, size, scale and
original building and that are associated with the period proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the
of significance may merit preservation. property and its environment.

In contrast, more recent alterations usually have no The Secretary of the Interior’s guidance for additions
historic significance. Some later additions detract from recommends:
the character of the building and may obscure significant • constructing a new addition so that there is the
features, particularly enclosed porches. Removing such least possible loss of historic materials and so
additions or alterations may be considered. that character-defining features are not obscured,
damaged, or destroyed
• designing a new addition in a manner that makes
This tradition of alterations is anticipated to continue. clear what is historic and what is new.
It is important, however, that proposed alterations be • considering the design for an addition in terms of its
designed in such a manner that they are compatible with relationship to the historic building and the historic
the historic character of the primary structure. district or neighborhood. Design for the new work
may be contemporary or may reference design
motifs from the historic building. In either case, it
should always be clearly differentiated from the
historic building and be compatible in terms of mass,
materials, relationship of solids to voids, and color.

Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts 7

Purpose of Design Guidelines

STRUCTURE OF DESIGN GUIDELINES

Each design guideline in this document includes several components that constitute the material upon which design
review decisions will be made.

1. Design Element
The guidelines are grouped into pertinent design element categories (e.g., landscaping, building materials, accessory
structures).
2. Background Information
The background information is a brief discussion of the issues typically associated with the specific design topic.
This may include technical information as well as other relevant preservation theory.
3. Design Objective
Each design element category has a policy statement that explains the County’s basic approach to the treatment
of that topic. In cases where the detailed design guidelines do not appear to address a situation, this general policy
statement shall serve as the basis for determining the appropriateness.
4. Design Guidelines
Specific design guidelines are numbered in order to reference them during the design review process. The
numbering system does not reflect a prioritization of the design guidelines.
5. Additional Information
The design guideline statement is followed by supplementary information that may include additional requirements,
or may provide an expanded explanation. The supplementary information is listed as bulleted (•) statements.
6. Illustrations
Design guidelines are further explained with photographs and illustrations. The examples given should not be
considered the only appropriate options, however. Each illustration is accompanied by a caption.

1.
1.0 TREATMENT OF
6. CHARACTER-DEFINING
FEATURES
Historic features contribute to the character of a structure
2. and are referred to as character-defining features. They
should be preserved when feasible, with continued
maintenance as the best preservation method.

Design Objective
3. Preserve historic architectural features and
details.
1.1 Maintain significant stylistic and architectural
4. features.

• Do not remove or alter architectural details that are

5. in good condition or that can be repaired.
• The best preservation procedure is to maintain
historic features from the outset so that intervention
Guideline 1.1: The wrap around front porch, uniquely designed is not required. Employ preventive measures such
balustrade, post brackets, and ornate barge board are all character-defining as rust removal, caulking, limited paint removal and
features of this structure that should be preserved. reapplication of paint. These should not harm the
historic materials.

Example design guideline format.

8 Montgomery County, Maryland

 Purpose of Design Guidelines

WHICH DESIGN GUIDELINES

APPLY TO YOUR PROJECT?
Use the chart below to identify the chapters that apply
to the work being considered: the rehabilitation of a
historic structure, an addition to a historic structure
and/or new construction on a historic site or within a
historic district.

Chapter 2: Chapter 4:
Chapter 3: Chapter 5:
Architectural Additions
Type of Project General Historic
History and to Historic
Rehabilitation Districts
Resources Properties

X
Identifying a historic resource
building style

Exterior alteration to a primary

X X
historic building (windows,
doors, skylights, solar panels,
etc.)

X X
Exterior alteration to an
accessory building or
outbuilding

X X
Exterior alteration to
commercial storefront
(including signage)

X X
Site work (fences, landscaping,
etc.)

X X
General Maintenance (minor
project)

X X
Alteration to an existing
addition

X X
New addition to a historic
building

X X X X
Any work in a designated
historic district

Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts 9

Purpose of Design Guidelines

BENEFITS OF PRESERVING Construction Quality

Many of Montgomery County’s surviving historic
HISTORIC STRUCTURES structures are of high quality construction. Often,
Across the country, more than 3,000-3,500 localities building materials used in historic structures was of
have recognized that historic preservation is a powerful superior quality. For example, the lumber used in historic
tool that contributes to neighborhood vitality, livability, buildings came from mature trees, was properly seasoned
and quality of life, as well as the economic well-being and typically was milled to “full dimensions,” which
of communities. Like Montgomery County, these often yielded stronger framing and durable building
communities have adopted historic preservation components. Masonry walls were carefully laid, resulting
ordinances to protect the historic character of their in buildings of considerable permanence. In addition,
buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods, and promote the County’s historic resources often were thoughtfully
a sense of place that makes these communities desirable detailed and the finishes were generally of high quality—
locations to live, work, and visit. features that many owners today appreciate. Historic
materials, construction techniques, and details are often
Preservation of Montgomery County’s historic built not replicated in contemporary construction. The high
environment is an important public purpose. By quality of construction in historic houses is therefore of
protecting the County’s historic resources, we retain a “value” for many people.
link to the County’s past that helps maintain the sense of
place that defines Montgomery County as a unique and Livability and Quality of Life
desirable community, which in turn generates economic Groups of houses in their historic context often create a
and social benefits for the future. street scene that is “pedestrian friendly” and encourages
walking and neighborly interaction. Front porches
Historic preservation has global and practical benefits as promote social interaction. Mature trees and decorative
well. From the quality of construction, craftsmanship, and architectural features also contribute to a sense of identity,
materials found in many historic structures to economic, attributes often associated with historic buildings but
environmental, quality of life considerations, the positive which are rare and difficult to achieve in newer areas of
implications of historic preservation are numerous. the County. This physical sense of place found in many
historic neighborhoods can also reinforce desirable
community social patterns and contribute to a sense of
security (points not lost on proponents of good urban
design and planning, who are increasingly trying to
replicate traditional patterns of building and community
design in some new developments).

10 Montgomery County, Maryland

 Purpose of Design Guidelines

Economic Benefits Embodied Energy

Historic houses are finite and cannot be replaced, making Embodied energy is defined as the amount of energy
them precious commodities that many people seek. used to create the original building and its components.
Therefore, preservation adds value to private property. Preserving, restoring, or rehabilitating a historic structure
Studies undertaken in many states across the county, will retain this energy. Investment studies confirm that the
including Maryland, bear out this point, documenting loss of embodied energy associated with the replacement
that designation of historic districts tends to protect, and of an existing, unimproved building would take three
in many cases enhance, property values of designated decades or more to recoup from reduced operating
properties as compared with similar non-designated energy costs in a new building. When historic buildings
properties. Historic designation protects investment. are demolished, their “embodied energy” is lost and
Owners of historic properties know that the time and significant new energy demands are required to replace
money they invest in their property may be matched by it. According to the EPA, building debris constitutes
similar efforts by their neighbors. approximately one-third of all waste generated in this
country. This percentage and the consequential amount
Rehabilitating a historic house also can cost less than of waste produced can be reduced significantly if historic
constructing a new one. In fact, the design guidelines structures are preserved rather than demolished and their
presented in this document promote cost-saving measures, building components restored rather than replaced.
in that they encourage simpler solutions, maintenance, and
repair over often costlier alternatives. Building Materials
Many historic buildings were constructed of durable,
Environmental Benefits traditional building materials such as old growth wood,
Preserving historic structures is also sound environmental stone, and brick. These surviving buildings were
conservation practice. “Recycling” buildings and building constructed for longevity, in a manner allowing for the
components saves energy, reduces the need for producing repair, rather than replacement, of building components.
new construction materials, and reduces the amount of With routine maintenance, most traditional construction
materials placed in landfills. Making sensitive stewardship materials and building components – such as siding,
of the existing building stock, rather than its replacement, windows or doors, and architectural detailing – can be
a priority will significantly reduce our environmental preserved or easily repaired. Many modern synthetic
impact because preserving and adapting a historic manufactured materials, such as vinyl and plastic used
structure is sound environmental policy. in windows or siding, cannot be repaired when they fail
and many fail to live up to their maintenance-free claims.
Furthermore, many simple approaches to achieving These synthetic materials are unsustainable, require high
energy efficiency in historic buildings can have equal levels of energy for their production, and often do not
– or even greater – impact than many more invasive have a product life span equal to many traditional building
– and often more costly – alternatives. For example, materials.
adding insulation to attic spaces costs far less and often
saves more energy than replacing windows, and properly
caulking and weather-stripping a historic window and
adding a storm window is far less expensive and equally
energy efficient as many replacement windows (and
neither approach involves putting the historic windows
in a landfill). Contact the Planning Department Historic
Preservation Section for additional information.

Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts 11

Purpose of Design Guidelines

Building Energy Savings Financial Incentives

As noted above, the argument that historic building In recognition of the public purpose and benefits of
components should be replaced with modern ones to historic preservation, Montgomery County, the State of
achieve energy and cost savings often does not consider Maryland, and the federal government have established
all the facts. For example, considerably more energy is special financial incentives to encourage the preservation
lost through attics, walls and around door and window of historic properties and offset the costs of appropriate
cavities than through window glazing and doors. Properly rehabilitation projects. Eligible projects can qualify for
caulking and weather-stripping windows and doors, County, state, and in more limited cases, federal tax
adding storm windows and insulating will effectively credits.
save energy at a higher rate than replacing single paned
wood windows with double or tripled paned windows. Montgomery County Historic
Often replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a modern, Preservation Tax Credits:
high efficiency unit will have a greater impact on energy To encourage the restoration and preservation of
savings, and shorter return on investment, than window privately-owned historic properties, the Montgomery
replacement. County Council in 1984 passed legislation providing for
a tax credit against County real property taxes (Chapter
52, Article VI) for maintenance and preservation
Adaptability projects. The value of the credit is equal to 10%
Most historic buildings can be adapted to serve modern of documented expenses for exterior maintenance,
needs. Rearrangement of internal spaces is not subject restoration or preservation work. To qualify, properties
to HPC review. Countless historic buildings have must be designated on the Montgomery County Master
received historically appropriate additions to serve Plan for Historic Preservation either individually
modern demands. The guidelines that follow provide or within a historic district. Tax credit-eligible work
recommendations for the design of additions. includes repairs, restoration, or preservation of exterior
features of designated structures. New construction and
interior work are ineligible expenditures. For additional
information about the County tax credits, see http://
www.mcparkandplanning.org/historic/instructions/
taxcredit.shtm or contact the Planning Department
Historic Preservation Section.
Maryland Heritage Preservation Tax Credits:
The State of Maryland also provides tax credits to
encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties.
Maryland’s Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program,
administered by the Maryland Historical Trust , provides
a 20% credit applied against a property owner’s Maryland
income tax for qualified project costs. Both exterior and
interior work may be eligible. Eligible properties may
include those listed in the Montgomery County Master
Plan for Historic Preservation. Contact the Maryland
Historical Trust for additional information (www.
marylandhistoricaltrust.net).
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits:
A federal rehabilitation tax credit program is also available.
Properties must be listed in the National Register of
Historic Places and be considered “income producing”
(owner-occupied residential properties are not eligible for
federal tax credits; they are eligible for County and state
tax credits). Additional information is available from the
National Park Service at http://www.nps.gov/history/
hps/tps/tax/.

12 Montgomery County, Maryland

 Purpose of Design Guidelines

PLANNING A PRESERVATION Preservation Approach

In selecting a preservation approach, a strategy with
PROJECT the least level of intervention is preferred. By following
Each preservation project is unique. It is important to this principle, the highest degree of historical and/
develop an overall strategy for treatment that is based on or architectural integrity will be maintained for the
an analysis of the building and its setting. Analysis should property.
begin with an investigation of the history of the property.
Develop an understanding of the significance of the 1. Preserve: If a feature is intact and in good condition,
maintain it as such.
building as a whole, as well as its individual components
2. Repair: If the feature is deteriorated or damaged,
and its relationship to its setting. Identify alterations repair it to its original condition.
that may have taken place over time, and assess existing 3. Replace: If it is not feasible to repair the feature,
conditions. Consider which building elements are original then replace it with one that is the same or similar in
and which may have been altered, and assess their physical character (e.g., materials, detail, finish) to the original
condition. Then consider the goals of the proposed work one. Replace only that portion which is beyond
program. For example: is the project focus to provide repair.
additional living space or preserve and maintain the 4. Reconstruct: If the feature is missing entirely,
existing configuration? Using the guidelines that follow reconstruct it from appropriate evidence.
to select an appropriate treatment approach will greatly 5. If a new feature or addition is necessary, design it
in such a way as to minimize the impact on original
enhance the overall quality of the project and facilitate
features.
the approval of your HAWP application.

Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts 13

Purpose of Design Guidelines

DESIGN OF ALTERATIONS, RESPONSIBILITY OF

NEW OR INFILL OWNERSHIP
Ownership of a historic property carries both benefits
CONSTRUCTION and a responsibility to respect the historic character of
While the alteration of historic properties may be the property and its setting. This responsibility does
proposed, the goal should be to design these changes such not necessarily translate into higher construction or
that they have no – or little – effect on the integrity of the maintenance costs. Ultimately, residents and property
property. Design any alterations to be compatible with the owners should recognize that historic preservation is a
historic character of the property. Avoid alterations that long-range community policy that promotes economic
would hinder the ability to interpret the original design well-being and overall viability of Montgomery County
character of the house, as well as those that imply an at large and that they play an essential role in helping
earlier historic period than that of the building. These implement this important public policy through the
approaches are generally inappropriate. Design alterations careful stewardship of the County’s historic resources.
such that damage to historic features or materials is
minimal, or avoided entirely. The HPC, the staff of the Montgomery County Planning
Department Historic Preservation Section, Local
Similarly, new or infill construction should be designed to Advisory Panels, and the County’s many local, nonprofit
fit within the setting of the historic site or district. This preservation organizations are partners in this process
requires some planning, as well as an understanding of and resources for property owners and their design
the development site. The Montgomery County historic professionals. Information about the HPC, historic
preservation program recognizes that while historic preservation staff, and the County preservation program
districts and sites convey a certain sense of time and place is available (see the appendix for contact information).
associated with their history, they also remain dynamic, Staff can provide assistance with the HAWP application
with alterations to existing structures and construction and design review process, financial incentives, the County
of new buildings occurring over time. Historic Preservation Ordinance and other historic
preservation related matters.
The design guidelines that follow were written to help
assure that, when new building occurs, it will be in a
manner that reinforces the basic visual characteristics of
an area. The guidelines do not require that new buildings
must look old. In fact, imitating historic styles found in
Montgomery County is generally discouraged. Some
people may be confused about this concept; for many,
the initial assumption is that any new building should
appear to be old. But rather than imitating older buildings,
a new design should relate to the traditional design
characteristics of a neighborhood while also conveying the
stylistic trends of today. New construction may do so by
drawing upon some basic building features—such as the
way in which a building is located on its site, the manner
in which it relates to the street and its basic massing,
form and materials—rather than applying conjectural
historic detailing to a new building. When these design
variables are arranged in a new building to be similar to
those seen traditionally in the area, visual compatibility
results. Therefore, it is possible to be compatible with
the historic context while also producing a design that is
distinguishable as being newer.

14 Montgomery County, Maryland