The AIA Historic Resources Committee is the oldest standing committee of the AIA. It was organized in 1890 as the Committee on the Conservation of Public Architecture. The history of the Committee and the AIA’s involvement in preservation is recorded in Architects in Historic Preservation, The Formal Role of the AIA, 1890 – 1990 available here. Over the years the committee has played several roles as advisors to the AIA Board, as advocates for preservation issues, and as knowledge leaders providing programs of interest to AIA members and the public.
Today, the Historic Resources Committee faces many challenges and opportunities, the most critical of which is the linkage between the goals of sustainability and the importance of preserving buildings as the means of meeting those goals. The Historic Resources Committee together with co-sponsors, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) will present a one-day symposium entitled Sustainability and Stewardship: Maintenance, Durability, and Service Life on Thursday, October 7 in Denver, Colorado, to explore these issues.
What should the direction of the Committee be in the future? We would like to hear your opinions. Please take advantage of this new Committee site by creating a profile, starting a discussion, or offering an opinion. Help your colleagues by getting involved.