MASTER OF PRESERVATION STUDIES
FALL 2016
ANNUAL PROGRAM UPDATE LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR The school year 2015-16 was an especially exciting and productive year for Tulane’s Master of Preservation Studies program. Four new adjunct faculty members joined the program. Professor Michael Shoriak inaugurated a new approach in leading Studio I: Building Preservation that currently emphasizes a variety of digital documentation methods. In assuming the American Architectural History for Preservationists course, Professor Laura Blokker redoubled the program’s efforts in teaching style identification and historic building structural systems. Professors Courtney Williams and Elliot Perkins co-taught the Economics and Practice of Preservation course during the second semester. As always, the MPS faculty engaged the first year class of sixteen students, plus several double major students, in various experiential learning encounters at actual preservation projects in the area. Among them were conservation analyses and planning studies for the imperiled Jefferson Parish Courthouse built by renowned New Orleans architect Henry Howard, documentation of the special construction techniques Godchaux Reserve, an early 19th century Raised French Planter house in LaPlace, LA. Field projects addressed in the second semester included conservation planning assessments and recommendations made along sections of Old Metairie Road with input from the Planning Division of Jefferson Parish and formulation of an array
of conservation planning ideas for the city of Madisonville, LA, situated on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Overall management of the MPS program was helped considerably by the assistance of Margot Ferster, MPS ’15 who supported in ways ranging from systematizing student progress and application inquiry tracking, to establishing an MPS program Facebook presence, and assisting with the Spring trip to Havana for the International Practice course. Margot is moving to Memphis, TN this summer and her role as assistant to the Director will be filled by Professor Laura Blokker. The program was enriched over the past half year with over two dozen outside lecturers, including Roberta Gratz who spoke about her new insightful book on the realities of preservation in New Orleans, and by TSA Emerita Professor Karen Kingsley who introduced her handsome new book on Bauhaus influences that inspired early Louisiana Modernism in Shreveport, LA. The fall Field Studies: USA class trip that went to Washington DC to attend the National Trust for Historic Preservation annual meeting included a tour of preservation projects there with the day ending at the office of the US/ICOMOS where director Andrew Potts and other ICOMOS board members spoke on architectural conservation abroad. The spring Field Studies II: International course returned to Havana for our best foreign class trip yet to compare heritage conservation practices. In our ceaseless efforts to better coordinate, enrich and increase the effectiveness of the MPS program, we have broken some new
ground in the way of study topics. Following the suggestions of the Tulane Preservation Advisory Group (TPAG), Studio II: Urban Conservation addressed, among its three principal projects, Conserving Modern Architecture. The economics of preservation was also addressed more fully than ever, which anticipates the program’s next biennial Preservation Matters IV conference slated for October 27th that will focus on how everyone benefits from historic preservation. At the end of my fifth year directing the Master of Preservation Studies program, I am pleased to say that it is operating at an all time high in terms of instructional quality, content, and the number of experiential learning initiatives in the field projects we undertake. It is exciting all around to be engaged in actual projects and current issues, though not completely surprising, given the relevance and dynamic nature of heritage preservation practice. Forward we go! John Stubbs Director and Christovich Senior Professor of Preservation Practice
This MPS Program Update features news as well as essays from faculty and students on some of the key aspects of the program:
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS, NEW ORLEANS FOCUS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND STUDENT TRAVEL
FALL STUDIO
CARROLLTON COURTHOUSE BY JAMES ROLF + KELLY CALHOUN Our premier Fall 2015 Studio I project was to analyze the Carrollton Courthouse, a New Orleans Greek Revival structure built in 1855 by Henry Howard. The class presented several times to professional, academic, and general audiences. In 2015, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the building as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This emphasized the desire to reuse the structure by the City of New Orleans, the neighborhood of Carrollton, and its varied former occupants. Professor Michael Shoriak guided us through the research, proposed reuses, and presentation execution. Emboldened by his instruction, we began our research and analysis. Split into three teams, we endeavored to investigate and cohesively present the history, planning, and current conditions of the building. The history group discovered the long-lost original building specifications and built an interactive map of Henry Howard structures throughout New Orleans. This gave the class valuable insight into the courthouse’s architectural and historical significance. The group proposed to reuse the structure as a building arts school and neighborhood café. The drawing group created digital renderings, illustrating Carrollton Courthouse’s major design phases. The building’s diverse uses as a public space and several schools were made evident by multiple changes to the floor plan and exterior façade. The newly rendered drawings were crucial in designing reuse proposals. Ultimately, this group recommended repurposing the site as a community flex space. The conditions group investigated the building’s maintenance and rehabilitation challenges. By looking at the structure as a whole unit, the team was able to distinguish the issues and make appropriate treatment recommendations. Based on their findings, the team suggested using the former courthouse as a restaurant and event space. Throughout each phase of the project, MPS students and faculty received an overwhelming amount of support. Members of the preservation community, including the Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Historic New Orleans Collection, author Robert S. Brantley, the community of Carrollton, and the Save Carrollton Courthouse initiative continuously encouraged our efforts. The increased public awareness of the Carrollton Courthouse and the Tulane MPS program distinguished this project as more than an academic exercise. It introduced our class to the dynamic world of preservation, and how rewarding this work can be. Visit the website created for this project: https://carrolltoncourthouse.wordpress.com.
SPRING STUDIO
MADISONVILLE, LA URBAN CONSERVATION STUDY For the last of three projects in the spring 2016 Studio II: Urban Conservation course, a team of six MPS students addressed a request made to the Tulane School of Architecture by Louisiana’s only Maritime Museum in Madisonville. The initial query called for restoration planning for the late nineteenth century Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage originally situated at the outlet of the Tchefuncte River on Lake Pontchartrain’s northwest shore. On hearing from Professors Beth Jacob and John Stubbs that the course is intended to address urban conservation issues, our hosts at the Museum suggested that the project be should enlarged to address the whole of historic Mandeville. For the month of March the team surveyed key historic buildings and other cultural assets in the town’s historic center and each focused on specific solutions. Some nine student projects were addressed that ranged from the better integration of several historic buildings into the town’s pedestrian ways along with safer street crossings to the addition of interpretive aids including wayside markers and a Web-based interpretive guide. Trained as a civil engineer, Nicole Lirette applied her talents to designing an eco-friendly breakwater of reconstituted oyster shells to guard against coastal erosion near the Madisonville lighthouse, and also designed solutions for improved site drainage in the town’s historic cemetery. Leah Solomon proposed enhancing the town’s heritage and bike trails and connecting them to a system of similar trails that access the other shore towns of Covington, Mandeville and Slidell situated along the length of the Lake’s north shore. The final presentation of Urban Conservation Planning for Madisonville was made to a sizable audience of citizens, Mayor-elect Jean Pelloat, and members of the town’s City Council. In gratitude for the MPS program’s help the Maritime Museum laid on a sunset cruise on the historic work boat The Champagne Lady in celebration of the entire MPS class of 2016’s final day of regular school on April 27th.
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
INTERNATIONAL FIELD STUDIES TRIP TO CUBA. BY JOSÉ MADRID (MPS ’17) As part of the International Field Studies course the MPS students and distinguished friends of the program visited Cuba during spring break. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Tulane faculty and Cuban colleagues, the academic visit was a delightful experience that will be happily remembered in our preservationist memory. Dr. Isabel Rigol, a thoughtful architect preservationist and representative of ICOMOS Cuba, acted as a bridge to introduce us to renowned local experts. The diverse tours and enriching lectures took place in an interesting variety of significant Havana locations like the San Geronimo Restoration School, the Vedado and Miramar neighborhoods, the historic headquarters of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), the Colon Cemetery, the colonial fortresses, and the streets and squares of Habana Vieja. We also had the chance to visit the School of the Arts in Havana. It was a splendid experience to know firsthand the modern architecture project of the ’60s through extensive exploration of three architectural complexes. The stylistic and conceptual ideas of Ricardo Porro and Vittorio Garatti are remarkably embedded in the School of Plastic Arts and the School of Ballet. The first currently operating, and the latter waiting for demanding revitalization. One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to the town of Hershey, where the former sugar refinery supplied the Pennsylvania chocolate factory from 1916 to 1945, just 30 miles east of Havana. The remnants of the model town that once thrived there include the first electric train in Cuba, the batey urban configuration, the Hershey gardens, and the picturesque houses that fairly relate to the architectural types of Louisiana. The history of the town that produced the best sugar in the world is fiercely preserved and shared by the local historian Amarilis Ribot, who accompanied us during the visit. The intense week of site visits and lectures was marked by the constant dialogue between Cuban preservationists and the MPS students. The combination of the historic moment that Cuba is living right now and the interest for both sides to learn in a comparative perspective from different preservation practices and approaches, left the door open for future research and hands-on collaborations.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
MPS STUDENTS VOLUNTEER WITH REBUILDING TOGETHER NEW ORLEANS Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO), a program of the Preservation Resource Center, is currently the largest home rehabilitation non-profit organization in the city. RTNO makes homes safer for low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners with a focus on aging-in-place and energy-efficient repairs. Their work strengthens historic neighborhoods by allowing low-income homeowners to stay in their homes and keep them maintained for future generations. RTNO’s work is an incredible example of making preservation work accessible to all. This year’s MPS class participated in RTNO’s 25th annual October Build. The two-weekend event put 32 local volunteer teams to work on 14 home repair projects for low-income homeowners throughout the city. Our team went to work on an elderly homeowner’s beautiful Central City shotgun home. Before our arrival, the RTNO AmeriCorps crew had repaired the leaky roof, replaced much of the siding, and built new front stairs with safe railings. Along with volunteers from W.S. Nelson, the MPS team completed the job by prepping and painting the house in colors chosen by the much appreciative homeowner. This is the second year new MPS students have taken part in October Build. Participation in the annual event not only gives MPS students an opportunity to experience hands-on preservation efforts, but also exposes new students to local neighborhoods, neighbors, and architectural types up close. It is a wonderful and very natural partnership between preservation groups in New Orleans and one that will continue well into the future.
Photos from left to right: Professor Shoriak and his Studio I students pose outside of the Carrollton Courthouse; Students celebrate the end of their Studio II: Urban Conservation Planning Studio for Madisonville with a boat ride on Lake Pontchartrain; Students listen to lectures by Cuba’s premier preservationists; Students gain hands-on preservation skills and give back to the community during RTNO’s October Build.
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STUDENT PROJECTS
STUDENT PROJECT LEADS TO NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION
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Thanks to an MPS student project, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was added to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this year. Recent MPS graduate Amanda Keith started the project in the Economics and Practice of Preservation course in which students were asked to complete the first part of a hypothetical National Register nomination. Keith’s excellent work on her choice of the Superdome led to the recommendation that she see the nomination Photos (above) The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, now listed on the through in the real world. Her diligent research and compilation National Register of Historic Places; (below) Walking tour down Oretha of the right materials paid off as the 40-year-old Superdome was Castle Haley Boulevard. listed based on the architectural and cultural significance of the structure. Thanks to her efforts, the Superdome now qualifies ORETHA CASTLE HALEY BOULEVARD JANE JACOBS WALK for certain tax credits that can be used in the future repair and maintenance of the iconic structure.
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STUDENT PROJECTS
JANE JACOBS WALK ON ORETHA CASTLE HALEY BOULEVARD: CELEBRATING A HISTORY OF CULTURE, COMMUNITY, & COMMERCE 6
BY JAMES ROLF
boulevard and its buildings changed over time
front steps of the Myrtle Banks building, several 1. Starting WorkSpaceon at the Myrtle Banks|Dryades Public Market guided the sixty-five down the street. The tour 2. docents Martin Luther King Jr Walk (Hayden participants Plaza) at notable places Café(former Reconcile, the Majestic Mortuary, 3. stopped Peoples Health New Orleans Jazzlike Market Dryades 4 5 Market) and Ashé Cultural Arts Center, where3docents gave a brief history the
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4. buildings Southern Food Beverage Museum Dryades Market) andand their impact on the(former corridor.
Melissa Lee of NORA and Linda Pompa of OCHBMBA kicked off the event with an overview of Jane Jacobs’ ideas and how they are reflected in the revitalization efforts along OC Haley Blvd. While gathered in the Mezzanine of the newly rehabilitated Myrtle Banks View down Dryades with Myrtle Banks in foreground, circa 1941 (Credit: HNOC) building, Jonathon Leit of Alembic Community Development spoke on how the new Dryades Public Market, located on the first floor, can help with the continued revitalization of the corridor by bringing fresh local foods back to the neighborhood. Before each group left the building, Beth Jacob of Clio Associates and Tulane MPS professor
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This year we are celebrating the 100th birthday of the famed urbanist, Jane Jacobs. One of the many noted celebrations was the Jane Jacobs Walk on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. As a spring intern for NORA (New Orleans Redevelopment Authority), I helped down Dryades this from Euterpe, 1941 (Credit: toView coordinate event.circa Other hostsHNOC) for the event included the Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association (OCHBMBA), Concordia, Clio Associates, and Ashé Cultural Arts Center. The walking tour, which took place May 7th, highlighted the revitalization efforts of this historic Central City corridor.
included several Tulane MPS students) and donors Russ and Sandra Herman and City Blueprint & Supply Company who made this event 8. Majestic Mortuary a grand success! We hope to see you (and your friends!) back again 9. Leading Educators (former Handleman’s Department Store) next year for an even larger event. 7. Ashé Cultural Arts Center (former Kaufman’s Department Store)
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Tulane Preservation Advisory Group members met at the Tulane City Center in April.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE On April 7th the fifth annual meeting of the Tulane Preservation Alumni Advisory Group (TPAG) met at the Albert J. and Tina Small City Center for a two-part gathering to assess the progress of the Master of Preservation Studies program. A brief presentation on the MPS curriculum and its contents, given by Director John Stubbs, was followed by a discussion guided by School of Architecture Dean Kenneth Schwartz on the program’s strengths and suggestions for new themes to be addressed going forward. The TPAG, consisting of ten regional leaders in architectural conservation, and invited observers met for the remainder of the day to discuss needs, opportunities and means for addressing them during the coming year and beyond. Suggestions of topics to address in greater depth included the economics of preservation, projects involving water management, the vital importance of communication skills, additional interdisciplinary projects, the length of the program, and possible special offerings. The important question of preparing our students
for the heritage protection fields of both today and tomorrow prevailed throughout the meeting. TPAG members in attendance included: Robert Cangelosi, partner, Koch & Wilson Architects; Kirk Cordell, Director of the National Center for Preservation Training & Technology; Jack Davis, writer on preservation; Danielle Del Sol, editor of the Preservation Resource Center’s Preservation in Print; Lake Douglas, Landscape Architect and Associate Dean of Research and Development, LSU College of Art & Design; John Klingman, Tulane School of Architecture Professor; John H. Lawrence, Director of Museum Programs, The Historic New Orleans Collection; Ann Masson, noted New Orleans preservationist and past MPS assistant director; Grover Mouton, director of Tulane’s Regional Urban Design Center; and Peter Wolf, architectural historian and preservationist, New York City.
architecture.tulane.edu/mps
STUDENT + ALUMNI NEWS Hallie Borstel (MPS ‘17) was awarded the summer 2016 Charles E. Peterson fellowship of SAH and the Philadelphia Athenaeum to work on some aspect of research for the BUS series.
CLASS OF 2016 After wrapping up her time at the Presidio Trust in San Francisco, Trudy Andrzejewski started at the Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) in December. Trudy helps connect homeowners with technical assistance services and home repair financing options, and provides preservation services including color consultations and archival research. Trudy and Liz Shultz (MPS ’15) participated in the Rustbelt Coalition of Young Preservationists’ first summit in Pittsburgh in April – if any other MPS alumni find themselves in the “Rust Belt” region, join us for the next meet-up in Buffalo in July! Matt Cerick is a restoration Technician at Staub Window Restoration. Cody Ellis is an intern architect at Rick Fifield Architect. Amanda Keith works for Ransdell Restorations in the French Quarter, where she completed her practicum work, and plans on getting her contractor’s license sometime this year. Heather Little works at Rozas Ward Architects in the CBD. She works primarily on adaptive reuse and new construction projects in historic districts around the city. She loves the opportunity to combine her architecture
and historic preservation degrees in her dayto-day work. Nathan Lott is working as Coordinator of Greater New Orleans Water Collaborative: nolawater.org. He will be doing a session based on his Tulane thesis at the National Association of Preservation Commissions biannual Forum in Mobile this summer. Nathan Marx currently works at a small historic rehabilitation and real estate development firm called Historic Pro Nola as a development associate. The job involves the utilization of historic rehabilitation tax credits for both clients and in-house projects to help bring new life to historic buildings. Meredith Massey currently works for a company called Thimblepress on their Assembly and Production Team. Kelly Morgan just started her position with RC Goodwin as a Junior Architectural Historian. John Rupley works at Rick Fifield Architect in New Orleans and is studying for the Architectural Registration Exam. Elizabeth Shultz was certified by the National Development Council as a Historic Real Estate Development Professional in October of 2015. She now works for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office as the Statewide Survey Coordinator and a Cultural Resources GIS Specialist. She gets to crisscross the state to build relationships with local preservation partners and then work the 106 Section system to finagle mitigation money for survey efforts.