Inge-Va

In January 2008, the Ontario Heritage Trust awarded Goldsmith Borgal & Co. Ltd. Architects the contract to prepare a Condition Assessment Report for Inge-Va in Perth, Ontario—a field-stone Regency Cottage dating to 1823. This assessment required careful project coordination due to the complexities of the property’s use and ownership—a residential tenant on the second floor and a museum on the main floor. And, although the Town of Perth is the custodian of the building, the museum is operated by a group of citizens appointed by the Town as the Inge-Va Board of Management. GBCA successfully coordinated with all occupants and representatives during the course of the on-site inspection.

The Inge-Va Condition Assessment Report included a detailed description and assessment of the building (interior and exterior), site features and site services. As with many other projects, GBCA led a team of consultants that included a structural engineer, a mechanical/electrical engineer and a landscape consultant.

The prime objective of the Condition Assessment Report was to develop a comprehensive estimate of the capital costs for the repair, upgrade and/or maintenance of the building and site. GBCA provided the client with detailed recommendations on how the life of the historic building fabric could be extended, including advice on regular or cyclical maintenance. The reporting of the various systems and recommendations for intervention were ordered in a manner intended to facilitate cross-referencing with previous survey and technical reports. Proposed work was grouped in three levels of urgency with recommended work items grouped in a cost-effective manner.

With this Condition Assessment Report, the OHT will be able to plan capital cost expenditures for this important heritage resource.