Old methods best for old buildings, says TV star
You are no doubt familiar with people who say they can communicate with animals, so-called animal whisperers and psychics. But what about someone who can speak to houses?
Brent Hull, author and star of the History Channel鈥檚 series 鈥淟one Star Restoration,鈥� has devoted his life to dialing into a deeper connection with structures.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no sense of craft anymore,鈥� Mr. Hull said at a recent event at Boston鈥檚 North Bennet Street School 鈥� his alma mater. 鈥淓verything is about cheapness and no thought is given to longevity.鈥�
Hull started his company, Hull Historical, in his brother鈥檚 garage. The company has since received recognition including the John Staub Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. He attributes his success to cultivating craftspeople who, like him, are motivated to respect and cherish the histories of buildings. Today the company specializes in rejuvenating structures, from Texas courthouses to old train cars. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about historical integrity,鈥� Hull told 海角大神. 鈥淭he question is not about what鈥檚 cheapest or fastest, it鈥檚 about what a building deserves.鈥� Hull isn鈥檛 trying to reinvent the wheel. The methods and tools he uses are old-fashioned practices, methods that he feels are becoming a lost art.聽
His work inspired 鈥淟one Star Restoration,鈥� a show on the History Channel that debuted last fall and follows Hull and his team as they restore buildings throughout the Texas area. Hull has also written three books, but his most gratifying moments, he says, are still in his small Fort Worth shop. Hull says that designing and refitting windows in the Texas State Capitol was one of his most fulfilling projects.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the most important building in the state,鈥� he says, 鈥渟o the experience was humbling.鈥�
Hull hopes to rekindle the more traditional aspects of practices like woodworking in the builders and contractors of tomorrow. 鈥淓very building has a story,鈥� Hull says, 鈥渁nd it鈥檚 our job to find it.鈥�
