Fechin Institute Fechin House Museum Taos, New Mexico

Nicolai Fechin was one of the most famous American painters. Born in Russia, he also brought to Taos a heritage and skill in decorative wood carving which he applied to both his adobe house and studio. The Fechin institute, in concert with the New Mexico SHPO, selected tCi to complete an Historic Structures Report, HABS documentation, and a Cyclical Maintenance Plan. We began by documenting the history of the building and its marvelous spaces and carved details. As is typical for an historic adobe, the materials conservation portion of the HSR was most critical: foundation settlement, site drainage control, and deterioration of lintels, sills, vigas, and porch elements. The Fechin Institute has been guided by the report in its preservation of the building, cyclical maintenance, condition monitoring, and overall care of Nicolai Fechin's biggest legacies of artÑhis house and studio.