U-SoA Committed to Preserving Historic Structures

APT Miami Conference Probes Best Technology
Miami Conference Probes Technology

Historic Preservation has always been at the center of discourse about stewardship and the environment at U-SoA. U-SoA Faculty Sonia Chao, Carmen L. Guerrero, Jorge L. Hernandez, Jean Francois Lejeune, Ricardo Lopez and Carie M. Penabad participated in the recent APT Miami Conference, that took place in the port city of Miami (Nov 19-23). Understandably, Miami provides an exemplary laboratory for contemporary preservation and adaptive re-use strategies, including preservation of modern architecture and the use of historic preservation as community planning.

The conference hosted engaging sessions, workshops and a symposium, delving into the most pressing issues affecting 21st century preservation and conservation, with conference themes of: Effects of Climate Change in Warm Weather Coastal Regions, Sustainability and Conservation of Built Heritage in the Americas, Conservation of Modern and Post-Modern Heritage, and Diversity, Population Change, and Gentrification in the Preservation Dialogue.

Sonia Chao, Research Associate Professor (U-SoA), participated as a Track Leader in the Climate and the Environment stream, and served as a session moderator focused on Climate Resilience Case Studies in Warm Weather Regions.

Carmen L. Guerrero, Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives & Physical Planning and Director of the Rome Program (U-SoA), was a Track Leader in the Conservation of Modern Heritage Across the Americas, and also moderated the session focused on Concrete & Brutalism which included presenters Michael Schuller, Eytan Solomon, Virginia Flores Sasso, Gabriela Fernandez and Daniela R. Werneck.

Jorge L. Hernandez, Professor (U-SoA) participated in Conference preparations. He, along with Carie M. Penabad, Associate Professor (U-SoA), led a tour of the University of Miami campus buildings of modern heritage and served as moderator for Track Session 2 Plenary, Sustainability and Conservation of Built Heritage in the Americas. This session focused on: special challenges of preserving coastal heritage cities in the era of climate change and global tourism, the impact of large masses of tourists on delicate waterfront sites and resilience issues of buildings in heavily visited coastal sites.

Jean-Francois Lejeune, Professor (U-SoA), was involved in preparation of the conference and helped set the parameters of Conserving the Modern, one of the conference tracks. Along with Carmen L. Guerrero, he organized the Call for Papers and made the final selection of papers. Lejeune coordinated the Plenary Session ‘Conserving the Modern City’ which included international participants, Carlos Eduardo Comas (Brazil), Pablo Guiraldes (Argentina), Dánae Peguero (Santo Domingo), and Farès el-Dahdad from Rice University.

Ricardo Lopez, Lecturer (U-SoA), participated in two paper session presentations: "A Tale of Two City Churches: Adaptation by Expansion in Santiago de Cuba and Adaptation by Contraction in Downtown Miami" Track 2: Sustainability and Conservation of Built Heritage in the Americas, CS2.3 Stewardship of ... Sites Across the Americas, chaired by Jeanne Marie Teutonico and "Approaching Preservation in the Bahamas with the Voice of the Community" Track 4: Diversity, Population Change, and Gentrification in the Preservation Dialogue, CS4.4 Miami and Caribbean Case Studies, chaired by Angel Ayon.

At the Miami conference, U-SoA’s Spring 2018 HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) students were recognized for their contribution to the Library of Congress by the National Park Service, Athenaeum of Philadelphia, and the American Institute of Architects.  Their measured drawings of the Casino at Vizcaya won First Place in the competition for the 2019 Peterson Prize.  Three U-SoA students (Sydney Matsumoto, Andrew Schneider, and Kyrah Williams) were in attendance and had an opportunity to address the audience before the evening's keynote speaker.  This is the third time U-SoA students win a Peterson Prize, AND the first time they take the top prize.  Their drawings were also on exhibit in the courtyard at Vizcaya.

To watch the APT 2019 Miami Sizzle Reel, click here.