Historic Renovation Consulting

Historic renovation consultant

A successful historic renovation consultant involves more than the mere art of suggestion. Each person or committee has ideas on what, where, when and how to restore or build.

Design consulting works with these ideas, and offers professional suggestions of innovative designs. The goal is to work together to create a space that is welcoming and inviting.

At Conrad Schmitt Studios, we understand that our clients have their own ideas as to decoration, colors, supplies, acoustics and lighting. We listen to and reflect upon those desires.

We will make suggestions that complement these needs, but will also explain our logic so that our clients can make informed decisions as they proceed with renovation or construction of a new space. From the first meeting to finished construction, we ensure that your wishes come true.

The Studio’s wide range of consulting services address the following important issues.

paint analysis

  • Compatibility of Past & Future Coatings
  • Period & Historic Decorative Finishes Reports
  • Specification Writing
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Liturgical Consulting

  • The Changing Needs of all Denominations
  • Vatican II dictates
  • Built of Living Stones (Art, Architecture and Worship) Guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
  • 2002 General Instructions of the Roman Missal
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Construction Management

  • Estimating
  • Design/Build
  • Programming
  • Project Timelines
  • General Contracting
  • Planning and Design
  • HAVC / Lighting / AV / Sound / Organs / Acoustics
  • Flooring / Pews
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Securing the Building Envelope

  • Roofing
  • Flashing
  • Tuck Pointing
  • Attic Insulation
  • Bird & Bat Control

 

 

Decorative Painting Restoration

  • New Design & Restoration
  • Polychroming
  • Faux Finishes
  • Trompe L’oeil
  • Glazing
  • Stencils
  • Gold Leaf
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Stained Glass & Architectural Art Glass

  • New Glass Design – Traditional / Medieval / Patterned / Tiffany Style / Contemporary / Abstract / Modern
  • New Leptat® (Etched) / Faceted
  • Conservation / Restoration
  • Storm Glass
  • Appraisal Guidelines
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Plaster & Scagliola

  • Flat
  • Ornamental
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Mural Painting restoration

  • New
  • Restoration
  • Conservation
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Mosaic Restoration

  • New
  • Restoration
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Statue & Sculpture restoration

  • New /  Restoration / Conservation
  • Altars
  • Ambos
  • Fonts
  • Pulpits
  • Shrines
  • Reliquaries
  • Baldachinos
  • Fitments
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Church Fundraising

  • Fundraising Boards
  • Mailers
  • Renderings
  • Samples
  • Color Brush-outs
  • Materials Charts
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Types of Projects

Liturgical Consulting
As liturgical consultants, Conrad Schmitt Studios is uniquely qualified to interpret the new or changing needs of your parish. In the case of an older structure, the Studio can balance contemporary necessities with the building’s historical significance.

Conrad Schmitt Studios will help you define your needs, develop goals and evaluate options. The Studio will share its expertise in fundraising and guide your committee through the creative process.

The Studio is cognizant of the most recent dictates set forth by the Second Vatican Council – including an understanding of both the physical environment and spiritual interpretation. By providing a variety of solutions, resources and media, Conrad Schmitt Studios offers a wide range of ideas and options. Whether it is the design and fabrication of a single stained glass window or the reconfiguration of a monumental cathedral, Conrad Schmitt Studios’ artists and craftspeople bring unequaled skill to each project.

Contracting

Contracting is a project management method used by Conrad Schmitt Studios that allows us to provide a wide range of services to clients across the United States. CSS provides timely, professional and competitively-priced services to structures including churches, theatres, hotels, courthouses, state capitols, private residents and more. We can assist you all the way through the life span of a project to attain unmatched client satisfaction.

Planning and Design

From the first discussions to the opening celebration of a project, CSS is a valuable resource for assessment, planning, design development, scheduling and fundraising. For every endeavor, the Studio can generate a range of creative solutions to work within the budget while attaining quality and longevity.

Conrad Schmitt Studios works hand-in-hand with owners, architects, interior design firms and consultants to create and restore some of the most ornate interiors and significant artwork in the U.S. Every one of these projects, large and small, is unique and possesses its own set of individual needs. The early involvement of the decorative arts contractor can contribute to the ease and success of the process. When requested, CSS also serves as the general contractor for projects, specifying, coordinating and supervising all of the necessary work for outstanding results.

Many projects begin with the selection of representatives from the church, theatre or building who will shepherd the effort from start to finish. CSS can assist in defining the goals and outlining the parameters and priorities of the project. The Studio contributes to the process of needs assessment, particularly with regard to the interior finishes, artwork, windows and other issues that affect these (such as insulation, tuckpointing and lighting).

After the project goals are outlined, the Studio sheds light on the advantages of various approaches and products. Opportunities for innovative and cost-effective solutions are presented. For a decorative project, if the building is to be restored to an original or previous decorative scheme, an investigative paint analysis should be considered to identify that period of decoration.

Once background information is gathered, a project’s scope can be fine-tuned and a master plan that includes budgetary estimates and timetables can be assembled. Scheduling to accommodate the functional needs of the facility is discussed to best plan around performances, holidays and ceremonies.

The next step, fundraising, is often the most challenging and time-consuming. CSS can facilitate the process in a variety of ways. The creation of renderings that illustrate the vision of the proposed decoration or artwork is one tool that can have a significant impact. Onsite samples for decorating projects or glass samples for art glass commissions provide a glimpse of the exciting possibilities. Identifying opportunities for recognizing donors; conducting research on available grants; and, the creation of material for printed fundraising pieces are other areas where the Studio can provide assistance.

Church renovation
Historic preservation
Historic renovation contractor
Stained glass window