Historic District Design Guidelines
Northville Historic District
Northville, Michigan
Completed 2024*
Northville’s historic district possesses a variety of residential and commercial resources, as it encompasses the city’s historic downtown and surrounding residential districts. The historic design guidelines used by the Historic District Commission (HDC) were over 20 years old and thus required updating to clarify the guidelines, make them user friendly, and incorporate contemporary preservation principles. Cassandra and Katie were part of a team that met regularly with the HDC and held multiple public engagement meetings to gather feedback on the creation of the new guidelines.
Photography of resources throughout the historic district was used to illustrate typical architectural styles in the district and highlight best practices for the treatment of historic materials and features like windows, doors, exterior materials, and signage. The guidelines also provide guidance on constructing historically sensitive additions and new construction, which were of particular importance to the HDC.
The design guidelines can be found on the City of Northville’s website, here.
*completed while employed at Kraemer Design Group