◆ About the Practice ◆

Brouns Hayward

We believe historic buildings are more than structures — they are repositories of craftsmanship, memory, and cultural identity.

Our Approach

BGH is a preservation consultancy dedicated to helping homeowners, institutions, and communities steward historic places for future generations.

Drawing on expertise in traditional materials, building conservation, preservation planning, and hands-on restoration, we develop thoughtful, practical solutions that respect both the significance of a building and the realities of its ongoing use.

Working across the United States and internationally, we provide condition assessments, preservation strategies, restoration planning, technical guidance, and training programs that empower clients to make informed decisions about their historic properties.

The People

Principals

Michiel Brouns

Founding Partner · Traditional Materials

A preservation professional, entrepreneur, and internationally recognized authority on traditional building materials. Originally trained as a historic building surveyor in the Netherlands, he has dedicated his career to conserving architectural heritage through authentic, sustainable materials.

Founder of Brouns & Co., he helped revive the use of linseed oil paint for both historic preservation and contemporary architecture. His work has contributed to projects including Buckingham Palace, Chatsworth House, Windsor Castle, Mount Vernon, and Poplar Forest.

In 2023 he published Linseed Paint & Oil — A Practical Guide to Traditional Production and Application, and lectures widely for RIBA-USA, APT International, and the AIA.

Linseed Oil Paint Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. →

Tera Hayward

Partner · Preservation Planning

A preservation professional with a background in Public Policy and Administration. Her work reflects a deep commitment to the stewardship of cultural and architectural heritage, grounded in both practical experience and the policy frameworks that shape preservation outcomes.

At BGH she focuses on the conservation of historic buildings and traditional materials, advising clients on appropriate treatments, preservation planning, and long-term stewardship — bridging hands-on practice with policy expertise.

She brings a thoughtful, standards-based approach to every project, with a focus on authenticity, durability, and responsible stewardship for future generations.

What Guides Us

Our values

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Authenticity

We use traditional, time-tested materials and methods that respect a building’s original fabric.

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Stewardship

We plan for the long term, keeping historic places relevant and useful for generations to come.

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Craft

We revive and pass on traditional building trades through hands-on practice and teaching.

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Learn the crafts we practice

Join us at The Castle Workshops — three days of hands-on training in traditional building crafts. Workshops in Spring 2027 TBA.

Explore the Workshops