martinhouseclr

224 DARWIN D. MARTIN HOUSE // CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT route from Jewett Parkway. [Fig. 209] Ideally, wayfinding information is clearly communicated before the visitor arrives on site, either at the parking area (difficult in this context) or the MHRC website. Is it for these reasons that a comprehensive wayfinding and messaging master plan is recommended to be developed for the property by an appropriate professional consultant. Generally there is a need for both interpretive signage and wayfinding signage, though wayfinding is a pressing issue for museum visitors. With these considerations in mind, the recommended guidelines for all signage implementations on MHRC owned property is two-fold: (1) No permanent signage that is not required by regulation or for specific health, safety, and welfare needs should be placed within the interpretive core; and, (2) The minimal number of signs should be used outside the interpretive core that accommodates identification, directional, interpretation and regulatory needs. Signage introduced outside the interpretive core should be subordinate to views to and from the historic property, both in height and materials. High-value interpretive views from the visitor center, the public realm streetscape, or from other areas of the peripheral properties should not be impacted by signage. Security and Lighting Organizational security needs should be assessed with the completely rehabilitated landscape in mind and a comprehensive draft security plan should be developed prior to commencing planting rehabilitation tasks. The plan should identify specific needs for preventing or discouraging access as well as needs for exterior day and night monitoring. Currently, an outdoor camera is mounted to a non-contributing tree that is recommended for removal. Therefore, it is important that either permanent or temporary monitoring provisions be developed before removal of the tree. Any comprehensive security plan should present solutions that meet the general standards for the landscape rehabilitation and remain flexible enough that it can be modified as the designs for new planting features are developed. It is also recommended that the security plan address the formalization of a communication strategy with adjacent property owners. The MHRC should work with neighbors and community groups to develop holistic and social (rather than visually invasive) methods of monitoring unauthorized access or preventing destruction of historic resources. From a materials standpoint, the design of new security features should meet long-term performance needs while remaining subordinate to the historic landscape. Existing permanent security gate features installed at the rear of Fig. 211, top View from paved plaza area in front of Greatbatch Pavillion (visitor center), south toward Jewett Parkway. Fig. 212, bottom Accent lighting at historic properties is typically not recommended but can be done tastefully and utilized for programmatic purposes rather than nightly lighting. Photo: Government House, Guernsey, UK.