Heidi  wrote > what does it matter as long as the building remains standing<
two examples come to mind...one was the restoration of Warsaw Polands old
town...well first there was no restoration; as Warsaw was leveled in WW 2 the
old town was entirely rebuilt from photograph and living memory; as a resident
there 6 months It was a great result; and even though it was communist times;
the resulting restoration was impressive.(even though they did not have good
mortar) The 2nd example  that comes to mind is where whole historic blocks  of
stone buildings are gutted (Glasgow is famous for this ) leaving the ghostly
facade; then the new building is fitted from behind...and Viola ( as they say
in Hoboken) ....Historic Preservation....I guess the beauty is in the eye of
the beholder..regards M>D