QUIET PRESERVATION
In Schenley Farms, a deteriorating retaining wall and shared driveway required complete replacement. The project introduced new structural walls, drainage, fencing, curb improvements, and careful coordination with the University of Pittsburgh while preserving the character of both the historic residence and its landscape. The design was reviewed and approved by the Historic Review Commission at the staff level, requiring no public hearing—a testament to an approach that respected the neighborhood's historic fabric from the outset.
Existing fencing and retaining wall were replaced to make the narrow driveway more navigable.
The goal was never to make the new work the center of attention. The mature hydrangea still greets the street, the century-old brick house remains the focus, and the new infrastructure quietly performs its job in the background. Sometimes the best preservation project is the one that simply feels like it has always been there.
Thanks Martin Construction for your great work and attention to details on this complex project.
