Historic Resources Committee

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Renowned Architectural Historian Spiro Kostof Lectures Available Online from the University of California, Berkeley
Spiro Kostof (1936-1991), widely recognized as one of the world's leading architectural historians, taught his last course in the Spring of 1991 in the Architecture Department of UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design. The 26 lectures of his course "A Historical Survey of Architecture and Urbanism" covering the period from the Florentine Renaissance to the post-modernism of the late 20th century were video recorded and have recently been digitized and made available for public viewing. Kostof's lectures were heralded for situating the architectural monument in a framework of vernacular buildings that imbue it with meaning.

2008 Charles E. Peterson Prize Winners
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) of the National Park Service, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia and The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announce the 2008 Charles E. Peterson Prize, which annually recognizes the best set of measured drawings prepared to HABS standards and donated to HABS by students.

The new Housing Relief Bill contains language from the Community Restoration and Rehabilitation Act, proposed by Reps. Phil English (R-PA) and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), calling for improvement of the existing historic preservation tax credit (rehab credit) for the restoration and rehabilitation of the nation’s vacant and underutilized historic buildings. This is a significant victory on behalf of the AIA to introduce provisions that will enhance the use of historic preservation tax credit for building affordable housing.

Read National Trust President Richard Moe's Speech to the Green Building and Historic Preservation Symposium (April 29, 2008)

Architects in Historic Preservation: The Formal Role of The AIA, 1890-1990

Institute Honor Awards Nominations
The Institute Honor Awards program recognizes achievements in a broad range of architectural activities which elevate the general quality of architecture practice, establish a standard of excellence against which all architects can measure performance, and inform the public of the breadth and value of architecture practice. The HRC encourages submissions in historic preservation in the categories of Architecture, Interior, Regional & Urban Design and the Twenty-five Year Award. Please see the Web site for deadlines.

AIA Historic Preservation Book List
The AIA Historic Resources Committee (HRC) has compiled a reading list based on the recommendations of HRC members around the country. We hope to continuously expand the list with additional titles. If you know of a book that should be on the list, we encourage you to send your recommendation to Raymond Plumey, FAIA.

HRC - Allied Programs and Events
Check out the regularly updated list of allied organization events, as well as a list of allied organization award programs.

Featured AIA Podcast:
A Global History of Architecture
From AIA PodNet: Listen in on a fascinating discussion with professor and author Francis D.K. Ching about his latest book, A Global History of Architecture—a work lauded as "unabashedly huge" in proportion and refreshingly unique in perspective. The work spans the globe from 3500 BCE to the present day, discussing certain styles and historical periods but dwelling primarily on specific architectural works.
Read More | Bio
More AIA podcasts of possible interest to HRC members
Full AIA Architecture Knowledge Review podcast series

ACHP Section 106 Courses
This two-day "Section 106 Essentials" course, sponsored by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), provides an in-depth look at the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. For more information or to register, visit the ACHP Section 106 Essentials Web site or contact Cindy Bienvenue, 202-606-8521.

The AIA Guide to Historic Preservation
This primer to preservation of historic properties covers accepted definitions in the field, how such properties are identified and treated, the architectural services provided in preservation projects, the phases of a project, the professionals needed on a preservation team, costs and benefits, and how to select a preservation architect.