I live in the southwest, and my favorite building type here is ADOBE. Adobe, Spanish for mudbrick. Adobe bricks are easy to make, and easy to construct with. They are durable, yet biodegradable. As a structure, they are largely fireproof and water resistant, offer excellent thermal efficiency and low sound transmission levels. There are so…
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My family tree is ever evolving because there are many roots but also the trees around us which become so entwined with ours that these strangers by birth become family by choice. Our children have collected aunties and uncles and cousins from our travels around the world, and we are grateful for this extended family.…
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What is historic preservation? Is it remembering our ancestors? Revitalizing a downtown? Preserving a ruin? Practicing a tradition? In the United States, “historic preservation” has often been equated with architectural history. Specifically, preserving buildings designed by and for WWM (wealthy white men). But over the last few decades, many in our field have worked not…
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The National Trust for Historic Preservation started celebrating Preservation Month in 1973. There are likely events going on in your community. The National Trust has a really cool list of 31 ways to celebrate… would make a good monthly challenge! But this Building Hugger will be completing her Girl Scout Historic Preservation Badge. You can…
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“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is Silver, and the other Gold.” Girl Scouts have been singing “Make New Friends” since at least 1927 when it appeared in the Girl Scout Pocket Songbook. (I know because I am a Girl Scout AND history geek and I own one.) So when SCAD and Girl…
Read MoreYour favorite Building Hugger lives! Nothing like life getting away from you… but I am headed back to Europe with renewed energy after the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s PastForward 2014 conference in Savannah, Georgia. The Savannah College of Art and Design and Historic Savannah Foundation partnered with the National Trust to bring us a great…
Read MoreIn our lexicon, the terms “conservation” and “progression” are often seen as polar opposites. For those rooted in the progressive “now” camp, there is almost a gleeful disregard for endurance. They accept that most of the things we are creating or obtaining will be outdated in a few years, so a general blasé attitude towards…
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