Preservation vs Conservation - 04/15/2011

A one man preservation road show came through town last night...

2011 is the inaugural year for MODern Month in Texas organized by Preservation Texas and its affiliates to promote the conservation (note the word choice) of modern buildings, sites and neighborhoods throughout the State of Texas. The road show entitled, "Back to the Future: The Preservation of Modern Architecture" was a lecture by Theodore Prudon, PhD, FAIA (President of DOCOMOMO US and Professor at Columbia University.) His lecture like his book, Preservation of Modern Architecture deftly delivers a message of advocacy, the importance of narrative associated with architecture, history and place as well as the dilemmas associated with difficult choices. In honor of MODern Month he presented to audiences in Houston, Dallas and then Austin.

The evening certainly inspired a dialogue in our studio and I would ask you to consider the following initial questions:

Are the stories associated with a place important to you? How about the buildings? Does the authenticity and accuracy of the materials heighten the memories or importance of a place? Did you know the typical threshold for a building to be considered historic is 50 years of age? Why is Preservation often polarizing and Conservation more easily embraced?...sometimes we just have to think a little differently.

Our studio's portfolio is decidedly modern, but did you know our Director has a background in preservation too? While pursuing his graduate design thesis Jamie Crawley, AIA, LEED AP  focused on a study to conserve/reprogram/highlight the stories of Austin's then warhouse district (now Austin's 2nd Street District), he also took courses towards a Historic Preservation Certificate. This parallel pursuit afforded him the opportunity to be a member of a  graduate student team that placed 3rd in a National Competition recognizing achievements in the Historic American Building Survey (HABS.) The original drawings are now part of the permanent collection of the Library of Congress. Viewing preservation as conservation and a design challenge rather than an obstacle -- remains a tenent of our work and our belief in place...and really is quite green too.

Buildings (existing and proposed) do have stories to tell -- in our case we always strive to be good stewards and good listeners.