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Historic rehabilitation projects are never easy, according to associate Tim Mitchell, especially when one involves 28 structures.

That was the case for FFA’s recent project: Curry Village, a group of log cabins in the center of Yosemite National Park. The U.S. National Park Service hired the firm to determine the conditions of the cabins, built between 1917 and 1922, and to redesign them.

鈥淭hese are not landmark buildings 鈥� they’re a different kind of historic designation,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淪o you have this delicate road you walk that you want to bring them up code-wise, but you know there are historic components to them that you want to obtain.鈥�

One is the unpeeled redwood logs of the cabins’ siding. Through the study, the firm discovered that most of the logs were still in good condition. But logs with less than 40 percent of their bark will be replaced with new, unpeeled logs.

The cabins’ bases, made out of cedar, were not in such good shape. They will be replaced with concrete frames to provide better stability and prevent water damage. Additionally, roofs’ wood shakes will be replaced with modern asphalt shingles, and windows and decks will be replaced.

鈥淭he foundations were built on tops of logs and stones put on top of the ground,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淎ll of that work has kind of failed over the years, so we need to replace it.鈥�

The cabins also will be equipped for electricity and water use. The overall goal of the project is to make the cabins accessible year-round, rather than for only certain seasons, Mitchell said.

The village, founded by two schoolteachers from Indiana in 1899, has undergone renovations before, including the addition of cabin windows in the mid-20th century. However, it’s never received work as extensive as this, Mitchell said.

鈥淔inding the time to upgrade them where you have to shut them down and take them offline from being rented has been difficult (for park officials),鈥� he said.

Construction will start shortly after Labor Day and be broken into four phases. will handle structural engineering, while will take on landscape architecture.

鈥淥n the Boards鈥� is a weekly feature that spotlights local firms’ best design work. Submissions from architectural and engineering firms are encouraged. Please call 503-802-7240 or email [email protected].