Historic Resources Committee

As with anything, I’d say it will help someone with limited experience more than someone with substantial experience. If you’ve done a number of preservation projects, those will speak for themselves.

------------------------------
Thomas Bank AIA
Principal Architect
Simply Stated Architecture, P.C.
Lemoyne PA
------------------------------

A few clients may require that you meet Federal Standard 36 CFR Part 61, but you can gain that through work experience. Definitions of who qualifies are found in the Appendix.

That said, it is easier to understand the language of preservation, if you've received an academic introduction to the field, instead of learning along the way. I learned on the job and now I teach, and I know that students coming from a preservation program, plus having architectural credentials, have a leg up on being hired.

------------------------------
Ilene Tyler FAIA
Owner
Ilene R Tyler, LLC
Ann Arbor MI
------------------------------

There are major regulatory, practice and technical differences in preservation that are not covered by licensing. I think the answer to your questions is "yes." A well-rounded program is not just a studio focusing on an historic building, but will encompass all of this. In the end it's about the "value-added" that you bring to the work. 

------------------------------
Joseph Catalano AIA
Joseph Catalano AIA
Sierra Madre CA
------------------------------

There are major regulatory, practice and technical differences in preservation that are not covered by licensing. I think the answer to your questions is "yes." A well-rounded program is not just a studio focusing on an historic building, but will encompass all of this. In the end it's about the "value-added" that you bring to the work. 

------------------------------
Joseph Catalano AIA
Joseph Catalano AIA
Sierra Madre CA
------------------------------

There are major regulatory, practice and technical differences in preservation that are not covered by licensing. I think the answer to your questions is "yes." A well-rounded program is not just a studio focusing on an historic building, but will encompass all of this. In the end it's about the "value-added" that you bring to the work. 

------------------------------
Joseph Catalano AIA
Joseph Catalano AIA
Sierra Madre CA
------------------------------

A degree in Historic Preservation communicates several things.  First, it speaks to your seriousness and dedication to working with historic resources.  Second, it indicates you have special knowledge and skills in associated technologies and arts. Third, it provides credentials valuable in public relations for both you and your Client to show.

To one who interviews and hires, these evidences must be demonstrated by application and results—showing practicality, problem solving, good judgment and business-sense.  I have turned away those with good intentions but few skills; those with theory but little flexibility; and those who can't make the leap between academia and practice.  (Sadly, there remains a gap.)

A Client may be impressed with certification, but portfolio, references and simpatico are equally important.  Sure, all else being equal--and it never is--credentials can make a difference. Like LEED, a title connotes understanding and will, but a smart decision-maker looks deeper for substance.

As for program...Look into the means and methods applied to field and lab work; understand the chemistry of conservation; get close to the crafts and trades that bring it to life, developing your own complementary set of skills—manual and professional; with historical perspective and empathy for the cultural context, identify examples of success, all the time aware of the temporality of intervention.   And look into yourself for making it sing—your personal approach to preservation as design.

------------------------------
James Rhodes FAIA
Beacon NY
------------------------------

I do not have a preservation degree, but it definitely took awhile to learn about the field on the job. Here's an interview that I did with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation where I confirm much of the advice already given: http://www.achp.gov/inclusiveness-constance.html 

Over the last 30 years our firm has done all manner of restoration, preservation, renovation and adaptive reuse projects on local and state landmark and national register properties. Each project and client has had it's own criteria for experience and  expertise when it came to selection the design professional and the contractor. Additionally I have interviewed many a recent graduate or intern architect with "preservation certificates" or degrees with preservation emphasis. My summary view id that most of the certificates are rarely of the depth and quality that is professionally useful and that many schools are teaching to and for future bureaucrats  rather than the technical skills, detailed study of historic building materials and assemblies that are required of the professional architect. I am not knocking the preservationist as administrator (my wife -BArch + MS Preservation - was a very good one for many years0 but this role as evolved into box checking or managing the political intrigue of upper pay grades by MA and BArch w Cert rather than the application of experience and know how. Like any profession the education is just a starting point for the real learning. I'd take a skilled, traditionally educated young BArch with an genuine appreciation of history and technical insight over most others.  

------------------------------
Mike McGlone AIA
Alamo Architects
San Antonio TX
------------------------------

Lots of good comments and advice here.  I came to preservation totally through project experience, but at times wish I'd had some more formal training.  However, missing from all of the comments is a frank discussion about the cost of a degree or certificate, versus the increase (or lack thereof) of earning potential.  Having this experience may help you or your firm land a project, but there may not be much difference in the pay scale for an architect with or without a preservation degree or certificate.  So do take a look at what you'd spend on this degree, versus what your earnings would be, and whether that matters to you.  It may still be worth it for you to invest in the degree for a variety of other reasons - just don't expect a quick monetary payback.

------------------------------
Katherine Dowdell AIA
Principal
Farragut Street Architects
Philadelphia PA
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2015 18:26
From: Mike McGlone
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

Over the last 30 years our firm has done all manner of restoration, preservation, renovation and adaptive reuse projects on local and state landmark and national register properties. Each project and client has had it's own criteria for experience and  expertise when it came to selection the design professional and the contractor. Additionally I have interviewed many a recent graduate or intern architect with "preservation certificates" or degrees with preservation emphasis. My summary view id that most of the certificates are rarely of the depth and quality that is professionally useful and that many schools are teaching to and for future bureaucrats  rather than the technical skills, detailed study of historic building materials and assemblies that are required of the professional architect. I am not knocking the preservationist as administrator (my wife -BArch + MS Preservation - was a very good one for many years0 but this role as evolved into box checking or managing the political intrigue of upper pay grades by MA and BArch w Cert rather than the application of experience and know how. Like any profession the education is just a starting point for the real learning. I'd take a skilled, traditionally educated young BArch with an genuine appreciation of history and technical insight over most others.  

------------------------------
Mike McGlone AIA
Alamo Architects
San Antonio TX
------------------------------

Lots of good comments and advice here.  I came to preservation totally through project experience, but at times wish I'd had some more formal training.  However, missing from all of the comments is a frank discussion about the cost of a degree or certificate, versus the increase (or lack thereof) of earning potential.  Having this experience may help you or your firm land a project, but there may not be much difference in the pay scale for an architect with or without a preservation degree or certificate.  So do take a look at what you'd spend on this degree, versus what your earnings would be, and whether that matters to you.  It may still be worth it for you to invest in the degree for a variety of other reasons - just don't expect a quick monetary payback.

------------------------------
Katherine Dowdell AIA
Principal
Farragut Street Architects
Philadelphia PA
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-05-2015 18:26
From: Mike McGlone
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

Over the last 30 years our firm has done all manner of restoration, preservation, renovation and adaptive reuse projects on local and state landmark and national register properties. Each project and client has had it's own criteria for experience and  expertise when it came to selection the design professional and the contractor. Additionally I have interviewed many a recent graduate or intern architect with "preservation certificates" or degrees with preservation emphasis. My summary view id that most of the certificates are rarely of the depth and quality that is professionally useful and that many schools are teaching to and for future bureaucrats  rather than the technical skills, detailed study of historic building materials and assemblies that are required of the professional architect. I am not knocking the preservationist as administrator (my wife -BArch + MS Preservation - was a very good one for many years0 but this role as evolved into box checking or managing the political intrigue of upper pay grades by MA and BArch w Cert rather than the application of experience and know how. Like any profession the education is just a starting point for the real learning. I'd take a skilled, traditionally educated young BArch with an genuine appreciation of history and technical insight over most others.  

------------------------------
Mike McGlone AIA
Alamo Architects
San Antonio TX
------------------------------

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Karen & All ---

While I've done plenty of historic work, I don't recall anything called an "AHJ".....what is that?

Thanks ---

Bill Devlin

------------------------------
William Devlin AIA
William J. Devlin, AIA, Inc.
Springfield MA
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-12-2015 18:02
From: Karen Burditt
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Karen & All ---

While I've done plenty of historic work, I don't recall anything called an "AHJ".....what is that?

Thanks ---

Bill Devlin

------------------------------
William Devlin AIA
William J. Devlin, AIA, Inc.
Springfield MA
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-12-2015 18:02
From: Karen Burditt
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Karen & All ---

While I've done plenty of historic work, I don't recall anything called an "AHJ".....what is that?

Thanks ---

Bill Devlin

------------------------------
William Devlin AIA
William J. Devlin, AIA, Inc.
Springfield MA
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-12-2015 18:02
From: Karen Burditt
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.

Architects can provide invaluable help to local preservation groups.  Our knowledge of AHJ requirements, our understanding of how the development world operates, our understanding of the political powers works, and our ability to review documents with an experienced eye are all skills we bring to the table.   In return our list of contacts expand and we help protect the communities we value. 

Too often architects stand on the sidelines of local preservation fights for fear of alienating the AHJ or future development clients.  How can we expect the general public to understand the need for preservation if we are not on the front lines of the fight?

I joined a local preservation group and provide my "expertise" for free. I have learned a tremendous amount from the grass roots preservationists.  If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a degree in Historic Preservation, but I can donate the professional skills I do have to help the cause and keep learning while I am at it. 

------------------------------
Karen Burditt AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle
Silver Spring MD
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2015 09:19
From: Edward Cazayoux
Subject: The value of degree/certificate in Historic Preservation

I am not sure that "staying local by joining a preservation group to gain experience by working free" is what is best for historic architecture.