Historic Architecture Design Services

Preserving the Character of an Old House While Making it Livable

Douglas Harnsberger, AIA
Specializing in historic architectural design

Do you need help in restoring or renovating your old house to meet the challenges of modern living? Old House Authority can provide historic design services and qualified contractors to perform the work. We are affiliated with Doug Harnsberger, AIA, Principal, Historic Architecture Design, LLC, who specializes in the revitalization and expansion of historic buildings. Mr. Harnsberger can explore with you plans for your house, produce creative design solutions, and provide construction documents stamped for building permit application to local municipalities. Our range of historic architectural services includes:

Milbank, Port Royal, VA, circa 1850

The historic center of Milbank was carefully restored

• Complete and accurate restoration based on authentic detailing and documentation
• Sympathetic rehabilitation to make your historic house comfortable and efficient
• Economical rehabilitation consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Rehabilitation to qualify for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
• Designs for new additions such as porches, bathrooms, extra bedrooms and living spaces
• Re-programming of a historic building for new functions
• Expansion and remodeling of inadequate spaces (such as out-dated kitchens) within existing floor plans
• Permit level drawings, specifications, and/or construction documents for interior or exterior renovations
• Design consulting services on an as-needed basis

Doug designed flanking wings to complement the historic core

Most recently Mr. Harnsberger's work has been directed towards large scale Philadelphia and Washington D.C. landmark rehabilitations where he has provided essential Historic Architecture design consultation. In the 1980’s Mr. Harnsberger served as the State Historic Preservation Office Historical Architect for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Upon leaving the state position in 1985, Mr. Harnsberger juggled several university teaching positions with a diverse Historic Architecture design practice. Three of his most recent Washington, D.C. consulting projects were the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History Historic Structure Report, the Phase II Modernizing of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), and the U.S. Capitol Grounds Historic Structures Report.

As a founding principal of Commonwealth Architects in Richmond, VA, Mr. Harnsberger and his Historic Architecture Studio staff directed a variety of certified historic rehabilitation clients including Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park, the Historic American Building Survey (White House of the Confederacy and Wickham House), Aramark and Delaware North Concessionaries (in Shenandoah, Zion and Yosemite National Parks), the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (ADA Solutions for CW landmarks) and consulting work for the General Services Administration, D.C. Capitol Region Office. His residential design portfolio includes historic houses in Port Royal Virginia including Belle Grove and River View.

On the construction side of his architecture practice, Mr. Harnsberger maintains a close rapport with many talented contractors, craftsman and artisans that have demonstrated their expertise in quality historic rehabilitation and restoration work. Since 2001 he has worked closely with the Virginia Lime Works in Monroe, Virginia to introduce natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortars and stuccoes into many masonry building restorations.

To inquire about Historic Architecture Design services or to schedule a consultation with Mr. Harnsberger, contact Old House Authority, (804) 648-1616 or doug@oldhouseauthority.com.