http://www.nylandmarks.org Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T00:00:48-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/conservancy_to_co-sponsor_lecture_with_institute_of_classical_architecture/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/conservancy_to_co-sponsor_lecture_with_institute_of_classical_architecture/ Lecture with Steven Semes: The Future Of The Past; Conversation with Peg Breen The Conservancy co-sponsored a lecture with the Institute of Classical Architecture featuring noted architect and writer Steven Semes Wednesday, March 10 at the Library at the General Society. The author discussed his book The Future of the Past: A Conversation Ethic for Architecture, Urbanism, and Historic Preservation, which was selected by Planetizen as one of the top ten most important books on urbanism and planning published in 2009. A conversation between Peg Breen and Semes followed the lecture with an audience Q&A closing the event. Steven Semes, Director of the Rome Studies Program for Notre Dame’s School of Architecture, is also the author of The Architecture of the Classical Interior (W.W. Norton), and Fellow Emeritus of the ICA&CA. His new book argues that the wholeness and continuity of the historic setting is paramount; and that traditional architecture holds the promise of continuity in the historic built environment. Books will be available for sale at the event. 2010-03-11T00:00:48-05:00 2010-03-11T00:00:48-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/professional_circle_members_get_inside_look_at_stunning_one_brooklyn_bridge/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/professional_circle_members_get_inside_look_at_stunning_one_brooklyn_bridge/ Chairman’s Award recipient, Robert Levine of RAL Companies, led 15 Professional Circle members on an exclusive tour of One Brooklyn Bridge Park, an historic waterfront warehouse totaling more than one-and-a-half million square feet that has been renovated into a 14-story luxury condominium complex located within the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park. Levine and Vince Cangelosi, RA, founder and principal of Creative Design Associates (CDA), guided members throughout the complex. Looking out from floor-to-ceiling windows in one sunny, beautifully furnished apartment on the seventh floor, tour goers enjoyed expansive views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline as well as the dramatic transformation under way along the waterfront. “There is no place in the building that doesn’t offer great views,” Levine said. The building is part of a renaissance on the Brooklyn waterfront and has been dubbed the largest condominium conversion in Brooklyn’s history. Originally designed by New York architect Russell G. Cory in the late-1920s, the building was previously used by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society—better known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses—as a printing and distribution warehouse. The developers, 360 Brooklyn Investors and the R.A.L. Companies & Affiliates, hired Creative Design Associates to turn the 14-story warehouse into a mix of 370 lofts, 24 duplex town houses and 24 penthouses with sun-lit terraces. They went out of their way to maintain the historic character of the exterior and did paint analysis to match the original color. The building will eventually be surrounded on three sides by Brooklyn Bridge Park, which was designed by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. Once finished, the park will feature a range of activities, including kayaking, court sports, bird watching and boating. There are also plans for water taxi service from the park to Manhattan. 2010-03-09T19:04:37-05:00 2010-03-09T19:04:37-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/governors_budget_cuts_could_close_25_historic_sites_across_state/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/governors_budget_cuts_could_close_25_historic_sites_across_state/ The Governor’s budget cuts to the Office of Parks would mean the closing of up to 25 historic sites across the state. Many of them are important to our national history as well as to New York’s rich cultural heritage. Once closed, this connection to our past could be gone forever. “New York is really the birthplace of America. We’ve never promoted New York history as we should and we certainly must not close the sites that tell this important story, “ said noted Columbia University historian, Kenneth T. Jackson. The sites include Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh, the Walt Whitman House on Long Island, the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, and Ganondagan, a major 17th-century Seneca town. From Revolutionary War sites to historic 19th-century mansions, these buildings are part of the foundation of New York’s history and the nation’s heritage. They should not be lost. For a list of all the historic sites that will be lost, click here. You can help save our heritage. Contact Governor Paterson, the leaders of the State Senate and Assembly and your own representatives to let them know that you want to see New York’s historic sites stay open. Tell them: We urge you to find a way to keep New York’s historic sites open. Many are associated with our Founding Fathers. They all promote tourism, and a sense of our shared history. We can’t deprive current and future residents of their legacy. Click here to e-mail Governor Paterson: http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php State Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact State Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/dean-g-skelos/contact or find your Senator here: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=64&sh=contact State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=129&sh=contact or find your Assembly Member here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=email 2010-03-08T20:26:06-05:00 2010-03-08T20:26:06-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/exclusive_behind-the-scenes_tour_of_historic_city_hall/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/exclusive_behind-the-scenes_tour_of_historic_city_hall/ The Conservancy is pleased Young Landmarks enjoyed an exclusive tour of historic City Hall Wednesday evening, Feb. 18. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, City Hall was an early expression of the City’s cosmopolitanism and is one of the most beautiful early 19th century buildings in the country. The building is a National Historic Landmark, a New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Joan Bright, Director of Tour Programs for Public Design, provided a behind-the-scenes look at the three-story building, which was the result of a competition held in 1802. The winning team of Mangin and McComb designed the building in the Federal style, with clear French influences that can be seen in the large arched windows, delicate ornamental swags, and more decorative Corinthian –and Ionic-style columns and pilasters. The tour began at the foot of a formal staircase that leads up to the one-story portico fronting the building. After a look at a stately 1857 bronze casting of George Washington, Bright guided Young Landmarks throughout the building’s magnificent interior. The main entrance hall leads to a central rotunda in which a pair of spectacular cantilevered stairs curve upward to the second floor, where a series of marble Corinthian columns support a beautiful coffered dome. Completed in 1815-1816 and restored in 2001, the Governor’s Room was the next stop on the tour. The room serves as a museum and reception fcility—housing one of the most important collections of 19th century American portraiture. Many of the portraits have recently benefited from a comprehensive conservation initiative led by the City’s Art Commission. Historic furnishings and artifacts—including pieces by Honoré Lannuier and George Washington’s desk—decorate the room. The group also toured the “Bullpen,’‘ a room not usually accessible to the public. Starkly different from the historical rooms, the Bullpen has been transformed into a modern, political trading floor for Mayor Bloomberg’s daily activities. The modern look of the space, formerly a courtroom and hearing room, can be restored to it original aesthetic. Young Landmarks also received a special look the Mayor’s Conference Room and City Council Chambers. Bright noted a restoration effort is imminent to address condensation that mars the beautiful mural on the Council Chambers’s ceiling. Young Landmarks was founded in the winter of 2007 in order to acquaint the next generation of preservation enthusiasts with the Conservancy and with the City’s architectural treasures. Prior events have included lectures with noted architects, a behind-the-scenes look at the Farley Post office, a tour and cocktail reception on Governor’s Island and a private party at the Upper West Side’s Schinasi Mansion. Click here to learn more about our Young Landmarks Council. 2010-02-19T14:22:23-05:00 2010-02-19T14:22:23-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/exclusive_tour_of_st._francis_xavier_church/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/exclusive_tour_of_st._francis_xavier_church/ The Conservancy was pleased to hold an exclusive tour of St. Francis Xavier church—filled with murals, statues and elaborate plasterwork—during final stages of an extensive restoration. Roughly 35 Professional Circle members attended the tour, which was led by noted architect Thomas Fenniman. The church, located at 30 West 16th Street, was designed by prolific R.C. Church architect Patrick Keely in the traditional form of a Latin cross. Built between 1878 and 1882, an imposing Baroque exterior is highlighted by an ornamental series of arches. The Church’s mid-block location belies its magnificent interior, which features polished granite columns, rounded arches, and 72 foot coffered ceiling. The goal of the massive restoration is to “peel back to the original architecture,” Fenniman said. The effort began shortly after Easter of 2009 and is slated to finish by Easter 2010. The project addressed every surface of the sanctuary: From the coffered ceiling, to the patterned marbled wainscoting, to the original oak pews. Much care was taken to meticulously restore the original paint colors and glaze finishes on the plaster moldings, the stained glass windows, numerous figural murals by German-born artist William Lamprecht, and original plasterwork. “If you look up close, the depth of the plasterwork is incredible,” the architect said. Parishioners spent a year discussing their vision for the altar, which has been completely reconfigured to be handicapped accessible and to work better with the congregation’s extensive music and performing program. The original marble altar was moved forward in one piece by an Amish-based company using a hydraulic system, which was much more cost effective than disassembling and reassembling would have been. Among the many mechanical upgrades, the church was given a new sound system and modern controls. New and restored energy efficient historic lighting and LED lighting at the murals has been installed to enhance the art and architecture of the space and the entire altar and choir area has been reconfigured to integrate accessibility access at all levels. 2010-02-18T21:51:42-05:00 2010-02-18T21:51:42-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/federal_government_awards_83m_to_begin_phase_one_of_moynihan_station_projec/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/federal_government_awards_83m_to_begin_phase_one_of_moynihan_station_projec/ U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced recently that the Moynihan Station project has been awarded an $83.3 million federal TIGER grant, which will allow the first phase of the long-awaited project to move forward. “Congratulations to Sen. Schumer for securing $83 million in stimulus funding to begin the Moynihan Station project,” said Conservancy President, Peg Breen. “Hopefully this will be the first step to ensure that Moynihan Station is finally constructed, which will benefit the economy and rail passengers by creating a modern train facility within beautiful Farley Building.” Amtrak, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with New York State, has been awarded the grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which marks the final component of financing for the first phase of the project. Phase One—estimated to cost approximately $267 million—includes building two new entrances to Penn Station’s platforms from West of Eighth Avenue through the corners of the Farley Building, doubling the length and width of the West End Concourse, providing 13 new “vertical access points” (escalators, elevators and stairs) to the platforms, doubling the width of the 33rd Street Connector between Penn Station and the West End Concourse, as well as other critical infrastructure improvements including platform ventilation and catenary work. Construction should begin before the end of the year and be completed by 2015. The first phase is a necessary pre-requisite to Phase 2, which will include a new train hall in the Farley Building. The Landmarks Conservancy has supported Moynihan Station since the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan first proposed turning the landmark Farley Post Office into a train station in 1993. The Conservancy helped found “Friends of Moynihan Station,” a group of preservation, planning, civic and elected officials, in 2005. We continue to work with State officials and the Friends of Moynihan Station to make sure that Moynihan Station is constructed and that the landmark building is protected. 2010-02-16T18:49:59-05:00 2010-02-16T18:49:59-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/professional_circle_tour_features_exclusive_look_at_donald_judd_building/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/professional_circle_tour_features_exclusive_look_at_donald_judd_building/ The latest Professional Circle tour gave members an exclusive look at noted artist Donald Judd’s former SoHo home and studio before it undergoes a major three-year restoration. Considered the birthplace of “permanent installation,” 101 Spring Street is not only a hallmark of contemporary art, it is one of the only intact, single-use cast-iron buildings remaining in SoHo. This distinction has earned it the highest designation for national significance as part of the SoHo Historic Cast-Iron District. In 1968 the visionary sculptor pooled his resources together to purchase the five-story building designed by Nicholas Whyte in 1870. It was the first building he had ever owned and its subsequent design—along with Judd’s work as an artist and art critic—made him an integral part of the artist experience in the SoHo of the ‘60s and ‘70s. “Too often, I believe, the meaning of a work of art is lost as a result of a thoughtless or unsuitable placement of the work for display. The installation of my own work, for example, as well as that of others, is contemporary with its creation, and the space surrounding the work is crucial to it. Frequently as much thought has gone into the placement of a piece as into the piece itself,” Judd wrote. The works on view during the tour remain as Judd placed them prior to his death in 1994. Judd permanently installed his own works and those of Dan Flavin, Lucas Samaras, Ad Reinhardt, Frank Stella, John Chamberlain, Carl Andre, David Novros, Claes Oldenburg and Marcel Duchamp, among others. The Donald Judd Foundation has been working for many years to maintain and preserve the artist’s vision of permanently installed living and working spaces, libraries, and archives. One of the great challenges the foundation faces is keeping Judd’s carefully designed aesthetic while making the building suitable for tours and regular visits. This endeavor means installing safety precautions, such as exit signs and sprinkler systems, throughout the building. Judd’s vision not only included the placement of work in carefully crafted areas throughout all five floors but also the basic structure of the building itself. To install building safety devices would be to compromise the artist’s vision. This great challenge lay before the foundation’s three-year restoration effort. The space will soon be converted to the Donald Judd House and Studio, a museum and offices of the Donald Judd Foundation. In Judd’s essay “101 Spring Street,” he wrote, “I spent a great deal of time placing the art and a great deal designing the renovation in accordance. Everything from the first was intended to be thoroughly considered and to be permanent.” Circle members experienced first hand Judd’s attention to spatial relationships and the placement of art within the building. The tour began on the first floor, originally Judd’s studio. A stately roll-top office desk rested in the center of the room—one of the many items that were abandoned when Judd purchased the building. Large windows shaded by exterior scaffolding characterize each floor, adding to the gray of the cloudy day. Leaving the first floor, members took a charming 1898-roped elevator to the fifth floor. Judd designed the top floor of the building to be the master bedroom. An impressive Dan Flavin work of beaming red lights constructed to fit the length of the longest wall greets all that enter the space. It is one of the only rooms where he constructed interior walls to create closets and small private living spaces. Artwork Judd loved and appreciated fills the room, such as a 1961 piece of old automobile parts by sculptor John Chamberlain and early three-dimensional Judd paintings. A Judd-designed bed centers the room. Traveling down wooden staircases the artist stripped of railings, members entered the formal dining floor and parlor. The room is filled with artwork, including 1964 drawings by Dan Flavin and a grand Frank Stella painting. The fourth floor will require major window restoration as well as reinstalling sprinkler systems, which Judd had torn out long ago. Shades will be put in and drawn when the building is not in use on all floors to protect the art from sunlight. Judd moved his studio from the ground floor to the third floor in his second year of occupancy to seek greater privacy. Described as more of a place for Judd to think and design rather than construct his artwork, Judd’s studio features gypsum plaster walls and ceiling with oil-colored stains of unknown origin. Alvar Aalto furniture and a colossal drawing table rest atop a Judd-designed “levitating” floor—a one-inch gap separates the floor from wall to create the illusion that the floor is floating. The library, now a curious nook, is nearly empty since the artist moved his thirteen thousand books to his studio in Marfa, Texas. Judd dedicated the second floor of the building to eating, cooking, bathing and informal entertaining. Most frequented by guests, the space is equipped with a large kitchen, loft bed space, dining area and bath. Exposed pipes and cookware from all over the globe characterize the kitchen section. A striking red painting by David Novros hangs near the dining room table and a massive wall painting by the then young artist Ad Reinhart dominates the south section of the spacious room. Judd even built a puppet theater for his children, which is concealed in the wooden wall under the staircase. Join us on our next Professional Circle Tour, March 9 Robert Levine of RAL Companies, a Chairman’s Award recipient will lead Professional Circle members on a tour of One Brooklyn Bridge Park, a former warehouse building which has been converted to luxury apartments. The building, which is part of a renaissance on the Brooklyn waterfront, features sweeping views of Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. Contact Amy Sullivan at 212.995.5260 or amysullivan@nylandmarks.org to reserve a space 2010-02-05T22:19:02-05:00 2010-02-05T22:19:02-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/louis_h._latimer_house_flushing_queens/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/louis_h._latimer_house_flushing_queens/ With a grant of $10,000, the Historic House Trust oversaw the restoration and repair of the Lewis H. Latimer House‘s exterior brick chimney, including the installation of flashing and restoration of the surrounding clapboards. The work was completed by Barnhart Restoration Ltd, a contractor from Far Rockaway. This distinctive Queen Anne building was home to pioneering African-American inventor, Lewis Howard Latimer from 1903-1928. 2010-02-04T21:20:28-05:00 2010-02-04T21:20:28-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/presidents_2011_budget_eliminates_preservation_grant_programs/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/presidents_2011_budget_eliminates_preservation_grant_programs/ The President’s proposed $3.83 trillion FY11 budget completely eliminates funding for two popular preservation grant programs—Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America. There is also a proposed $25 million cut to the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). Funding for State Historic Preservation Offices, however, remains the same as last year, $46.5 million. Save America’s Treasures, which began under the then First Lady Hillary Clinton, works to protect America’s threatened cultural treasures, such as historic structures and works of art that illuminate the history and culture of the United States. The program has helped local projects including, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, which received a $75,000 grant in 2002, and Save Ellis Island, which received a $1.18 million grant in 1999 for the Ferry Building and a $500,000 grant in 2000 for the Laundry/Hospital Outbuilding. Launched in 2003 under First Lady Laura Bush, Preserve America is a Federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy cultural and natural heritage. The program gives smaller grants to promote heritage tourism and preservation planning. Preservation Action, the national preservation lobby group, breaks down proposed preservation funding as follows: State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices remain the same for fiscal year 2010 and 2011 at 46.5 million and 8 million respectively. Save America’s Treasures will go from $25 million in 2010 to zero in 2011. Preserve America’s $3.175 million 2010 funding (Funded through the Recreation and Preservation Account instead of the Historic Preservation Fund) drops to zero in 2011 as well. The total Historic Preservation Fund drops from $79.5 million in 2010 to $54.5 million in 2011. The New York Landmark Conservancy works with Preservation Action and will be in Washington, D.C. for National Preservation Lobby Day, Wednesday, March 3, to press for restoration funding. The Conservancy will provide the appropriate members of our delegation for you to contact. 2010-02-01T22:13:56-05:00 2010-02-01T22:13:56-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancys_technical_director_in_midst_of_fight_to_save_historic_brownsto/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancys_technical_director_in_midst_of_fight_to_save_historic_brownsto/ Initial steps were taken today to stabilize two historic Brooklyn brownstones at 329 & 331 MacDonough Street. The Conservancy has worked to prevent the demolition of these circa 1870 houses designed by prolific Brooklyn architect Amzi Hill. They are part of a row in the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District, which was designated in 1971. MacDonough Street is one of the most architecturally distinguished streets in the borough. Today’s work involved pouring concrete into the cellar of number 329 which will stabilize the bearing walls and allow further shoring to occur once the concrete sets. Improper excavation work in the cellar of 329 lead to a partial collapse of the cellar party wall in the early morning hours of January 21, 2010. The Gas Company was called, and after shutting off the gas, alerted the Department of Buildings (DOB) about the partial collapse in the cellar. DOB inspected the two houses that share the party wall and immediately ordered all occupants of both to vacate. They then ordered an immediate demolition of both houses, citing the danger of “imminent catastrophic collapse.” The owner of 329, an attorney, sought and obtained a temporary restraining order, which bought some time. The Conservancy enlisted the services of an engineer from Robert Silman Associates. Technical director Alex Herrera accompanied the engineer on a site visit on Saturday morning, January 22. Inspecting the interior of the house, Herrera and engineer Pat Arnett did not notice any discernible settlement or sinking of the floors or walls of 329. The partial collapse of the cellar wall was a very serious breech of the house’s structure as it opened up a gap in the bearing wall. But somehow the structural loads in the bearing wall found their way around the gap. The Conservancy contacted expert shoring contractor Richard Mugler who visited the site on Tuesday, along with DOB staff and prepared a shoring plan to present the court. The following Wednesday, at Brooklyn Supreme Court, an extension of the restraining order was granted. The judge ordered the engineers to come up with a plan to save the houses. As of Thursday, January 28, the parties were discussing how to begin the shoring process. The DOB wanted concrete to be poured into the cellar to stabilize the foundations of the house but does not want any workmen in the house when the pour is underway. Those details were being ironed out and it is our hope that concrete will be poured no later than Friday, January 29. Once the concrete is poured and sets up, the actual shoring process can commence. The fact that neither house has moved or shown any evidence of displacement is a positive sign that indicates that they can be saved. On Friday, concrete trucks pulled up in front of the houses and contractors arranged an elaborate piping system that permitted concrete to be poured into the illegally excavated trenches in the cellar of 329. As of noon today, we received word from the LPC that the pour was completed successfully with no structural movement in the houses. Once the concrete sets (six to twelve hours) the houses will in effect have concrete footings, which will provide solid support for the load bearing party wall. Now, a shoring plan needs to be submitted and approved by DOB to allow a shoring contractor to enter the houses and stabilize the floors prior to the permanent repair of the collapsed portion of the party wall. Those plans will be submitted early next week prior to the next court appearance scheduled for Tuesday at 2:30 in Brooklyn Supreme Court. If it had not been for the sympathetic ear of the court, the political pressure of the neighborhood and the assistance of the Conservancy, these fine houses would have been demolished a week ago; four families would have been displaced; and the lovely intact row of landmark brownstones would have been irrevocably diminished. 2010-01-29T19:51:18-05:00 2010-01-29T19:51:18-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/moynihan_station_work_continues_behind_the_scenes/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/moynihan_station_work_continues_behind_the_scenes/ Although Moynihan Station has been out of the headlines for some time, work has continued on plans for underground track improvements. And, if the State succeeds in getting federal, so-called, TIGER funding this month, construction on the first phase could begin this February. Andrew Lynn, Port Authority Director of Regional Development, gave the Landmarks Conservancy Board an update on Moynihan at its January 21 meeting. Phase One of the project would concentrate on track and ventilation improvements, as well as providing street level access to the Farley Building so Amtrak riders could exit from there. Amtrak announced last year that it would move its operations into Farley and work on a final agreement to do so is continuing. Lynn told the Board that the State was looking at a “preservation friendly” design for the station hall and hoped the project would qualify for federal preservation tax credits. This means, for instance, that glass skylights over the train hall and intermodal hall would not rise above the building’s walls and that the State intends to preserve as much interior fabric as possible. Skidmore Owings and Merrill are the architects for the train hall. Phase One costs $267 million and could take up to five years to complete. While some federal and state funding is available, the $98 million request for TIGER funding is crucial. Phase One would be a public project overseen by the Port Authority and the Moynihan Station Development Corporation. The Conservancy, as part of the “Friends of Moynihan Station,” signed a letter of support for the TIGER funding. Developers Related and Vornado remain involved in Moynihan and would be active in Phase Two, building the train hall and related retail. Eventually, they would develop the Farley annex as well. At this point, they are looking at a retail arcade that would be easily accessible from the train hall. The Landmarks Conservancy has supported Moynihan Station since the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan first proposed turning the landmark Farley Post Office into a train station in 1993. We helped found “Friends of Moynihan Station,” a group of preservation, planning, civic and elected officials, in 2005. When Related and Vornado proposed moving Madison Square Garden into the back of Farley in 2007, the Conservancy sought to minimize the impact of a new Garden on the building and opposed plans to turn the Post Office Lobby into the main entrance to the new Garden. We continue to work with State officials and the “Friends” to ensure that Moynihan Station is constructed and that the landmark building is protected. 2010-01-29T19:48:45-05:00 2010-01-29T19:48:45-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/fixing_frank_restoration_of_fallingwater_and_guggenheim_museum/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/fixing_frank_restoration_of_fallingwater_and_guggenheim_museum/ Architects, contractors, and preservationists filled the Conservancy’s conference room to capacity on Jan. 26 to hear noted engineer Robert Silman recap the painstaking analysis and planning process that went into the successful restoration of these two world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Silman dubbed the presentation: “Fixing Frank.” This fascinating look at how seemingly unsolvable building problems are overcome through modern engineering techniques was presented so as to be informative and understandable to non-engineers and engineers alike. Silman’s talk was another in our series of Professional Circle Breakfasts. Although both buildings are acknowledged as masterpieces of 20th-century design, they were both threatened by serious structural problems. Robert Silman Associates spent several years documenting these structures, analyzing their flaws, and recommending as well as overseeing treatments. Silman, who is the founder and principle of engineering firm Robert Silman Associates, PC, and a leader in preservation education and policy, understood the responsibility he took on when he was called in to restore what the American Institute of Architects voted “the best all-time work of American architecture.” “I didn’t want the name Silman to be known as the firm that turned Fallingwater into ‘babbling brook,’” he said. Deflection in Fallingwater’s projecting terrace appeared right after its construction in 1936. By the time Silman and Associates were charged with repairing the building in 1994, the downward deflection had grown from 1 ¾ to 7 ½ inches. The firm determined after a lengthy monitoring process that an error in design caused a lack of steel reinforcing, which led to the near-failure. “Really good engineers at the time made a really basic mistake,” he said. The Silman firm investigated reinforcement options including permanent shoring, supplemental steel framing, bonded steel plating and fiber reinforced laminating before settling on post-tensioned cables set within the interior voids of the concrete cantilever. “Eight years of work was over in 20 seconds as the new cables were put in high tension by powerful hydraulic engines. Everything came out exactly as predicted,” Silman said. The second half of the lecture featured Silman’s detailed discussion of exterior restoration at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Finished in1959 — just prior to the architect’s death — the building is characterized by poured-in-place concrete ramps and walls, and facades finished with Gunite ( a concrete mixture applied by spraying). After a thorough structural evaluation involving archival research, structural monitoring, laser scans, and crack and tie rod documentation, the firm determined that the Guggenheim suffered from errors in construction. Among the problems Silman Associates identified were discontinuous horizontal reinforcing bars within the concrete. This fault was remedied through the installation of thin carbon fiber reinforcements on the interior surface of the exterior walls; inadequate dowels were repaired with apron slab brackets. Once the strategy was determined, exterior repairs took one year to complete. The next Professional Circle event will take place Tuesday, Feb. 2 and will feature an exclusive tour of the Donald Judd House and Studio at 101 Spring Street, which is considered to be the birthplace of “permanent installation” and part of the SoHo Historic Cast-Iron District. Contact Amy Sullivan at 212.995.5260 or amysullivan@nylandmarks.org to reserve a space. 2010-01-29T19:35:02-05:00 2010-01-29T19:35:02-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_continues_push_to_repair_recently_landmarked_west-park_presbyte/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_continues_push_to_repair_recently_landmarked_west-park_presbyte/ An outstanding example of late 19th century religious architecture, West-Park Presbyterian Church on West End Avenue and 86th Street achieved landmark status with a unanimous vote by New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on Jan 12. Henry Kilburn designed the church in 1890 while Leopold Eidlitz designed what is now the community house six years earlier. The Conservancy supported the designation, but landmarking alone is not the answer here. We have been working for nine years with the West Park clergy, City officials, congregation, and neighbors to try to resolve the long-term maintenance issues of this magnificent Renaissance Revival building. Various development schemes have come and gone and there is still no viable use for the now empty building. With decades of deferred maintenance and a monumental tower in dire condition, the dwindling congregation now worships a block away at another church. Any prospective buyer will have to spend millions to stabilize the exterior envelope alone. The church first contacted the Conservancy’s Sacred Sites staff in 2001 about minimal, interim masonry facade repairs. Its endowment was dwindling rapidly, and even with an initial Conservancy pledge of a $10,000 grant, the church could not amass sufficient funds for the project. In 2003, the Conservancy learned the congregation was exploring demolition and redevelopment to raise funds. Working with a coalition of congregational leadership, the Presbytery, West Side City Council member Gale Brewer, Landmark West!, and community members, the Conservancy sought a solution that would retain the historic church and meet the congregation’s funding needs. Since then we have reviewed various plans that called for everything from retaining the exterior but totally reconfiguring the interior to erecting a residential tower that included affordable housing on the site of the community house. Neither the congregation nor the Presbytery supported the designation. The Presbytery has been, and remains, interested in selling the property. If the congregation filed for hardship, the entire structure could still be lost. The Conservancy will continue to work with all the interested parties to see if a solution can be found. 2010-01-29T18:14:33-05:00 2010-01-29T18:14:33-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_tours_historic_erasmus_hall_academy_building/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_tours_historic_erasmus_hall_academy_building/ Brooklyn’s early history is ingrained in the walls of one of its oldest buildings—Erasmus Hall Academy, constructed in 1787. But this important landmark needs restoration and a reuse if it is to continue to remind students and Flatbush residents of the area’s proud history. The Conservancy, and preservation architect Dan Allen, toured the former school on January 25 at the invitation of alumni who want to save the building. The clapboard-sided, Federal style building is surrounded by Erasmus High School, which counts Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond among its notable alumni. This venerable academy served students in the Flatbush area for 200 years. More recently, it housed school offices and a museum dedicated to the school’s long and colorful history. But it has stood vacant for 10 years. Despite some leaks, Allen said the building is generally in sound condition. But a full conditions survey is needed to determine stabilization or restoration priorities and costs. The Conservancy is reaching out to the School Construction Authority to see if we could cooperate on a conditions survey and re-use plan. 2010-01-29T17:38:20-05:00 2010-01-29T17:38:20-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/new_book_on_restoring_city_homes_features_practical_advice_from_conservancy/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/new_book_on_restoring_city_homes_features_practical_advice_from_conservancy/ A lovely new book about restoring city homes features practical advice and suggestions from the Conservancy’s Technical Director, Alex Herrera. “Restoring A House In The City: A Guide To Renovating Town Houses, Brownstones and Row Houses With Great Style” by Ingrid Abramovitch is published by Artisan. The book combines stunning pictures of each home, with stories of the restoration and renovations. Buildings from Greenwich Village, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene and Park Slope are detailed, including the home of Conservancy Professional Circle Member Kathryn Scott. Herrera offers advice and information on everything from hiring an architect to period details. The Landmarks Conservancy is also listed as a resource for persons seeking to restore their homes. 2009-12-31T22:46:12-05:00 2009-12-31T22:46:12-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/nyc_landmarks_preservation_commission_chair_thanks_conservancy_for_support_/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/nyc_landmarks_preservation_commission_chair_thanks_conservancy_for_support_/ Robert B. Tierney, Chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, recently thanked the Conservancy for helping the Commission in 2009. “As I look back at the properties and districts we designated, I’m struck not only by the large number of districts and buildings that received landmark protection this year, but also by the breadth of architectural styles and periods of the city’s history they represent,” said Tierney. In 2009, the Commission designated eight historic districts throughout the city, encompassing 1,060 buildings, including the 850-building Prospect Heights Historic District, the largest district designated by the Commission since the Upper West Side Historic District was approved in 1990. “One of the most remarkable aspects of forming this district was the tremendous amount of groundwork that was laid by organizations like the New York Landmarks Conservancy…” said Tierney. The Commission designated 33 new individual landmarks including the Hubbard House, a rare surviving Dutch American farmhouse in Brooklyn constructed c. 1830. The Conservancy gave loans and grants to buy and restore the house, which resulted in the preservation of the home and grounds. We also placed an easement on the building and later actively promoted its landmarking. The Commission gave landmark status to three Federal-era buildings in Manhattan, taking steps to preserve these rare reminders of an early period in New York City’s history. The Conservancy and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation promoted the designation of Federal-era buildings for the past several years. We are delighted 3 more are secure. The Commission also successfully pressed for a demolition-by-neglect lawsuit against the previous owners of the landmark Windermere apartments at the corner of 57th Street and Ninth Avenue and got a record 1.1 million cash settlement. The Conservancy highlighted the Windermere Apartments as an important building several years ago, worked with a group who sought to buy the building and restore it, promoted its designation and urged the Commission to pursue its ultimately successful lawsuit. As Commission Chair, Tierney noted: “We may not always agree on which buildings are worthy of designation, or on what constitutes an appropriate intervention for a particular building or district. Indeed, architecture is an artistic expression of a particular moment, and, as such, is subject to different interpretations and meanings. But I am certain we can all agree that each of us cares deeply about the present and future of this City and is committed to acting in the best interest of all New Yorkers.” The Conservancy couldn’t agree more and will continue its efforts to initiate additional landmarks in 2010. 2009-12-30T18:37:39-05:00 2009-12-30T18:37:39-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_supports_st._vincents_plans_for_new_hospital_but_is_also_suppor/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_supports_st._vincents_plans_for_new_hospital_but_is_also_suppor/ The New York preservation community is engaged in a dispute regarding the Landmarks Commission’s interpretation of the standards for hardship relief from the Landmarks Law. This dispute grew out of the proposal for St. Vincent’s Hospital to build a state-of-the-art facility at the site of one of its properties, the O’Toole Building, and to raise funds for that endeavor by selling its remaining buildings to a developer as the site for a new residential complex. From the start, the Landmarks Conservancy supported St. Vincent’s plans. We took the position that the O’Toole Building was not one of the buildings for which the Greenwich Village Historic District was designated (click here to view 4/15/08 testimony) and that St. Vincent’s had made a compelling case that in order to achieve its charitable mission, it should be able to demolish O’Toole and put up its new building on that site (click here to view 6/3/08 testimony). The Conservancy also reviewed the proposal for the residential site, maintained that the best historic hospital buildings should be re-used, and suggested improvements to the designs of the new buildings. The final plans incorporated all of these recommendations. The LPC approved the demolition of O’Toole based on hardship, but used a novel interpretation of the hardship “test” which could set a precedent allowing other non-profits with multiple buildings to tear down their historic properties. The Conservancy is committed to upholding the Landmarks Law, so when a neighborhood group filed a lawsuit challenging the LPC’s decision, we joined the Municipal Art Society and other national, state-wide, and local preservation groups in an amicus brief to uphold the correct hardship standard. We still support St. Vincent’s project and believe that the LPC could have reached the same conclusion applying the correct legal standard. See The Municipal Art Society statement here. 2009-12-18T20:43:29-05:00 2009-12-18T20:43:29-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/historic_properties_fund_manager_featured_speaker_at_historic_district_coun/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/historic_properties_fund_manager_featured_speaker_at_historic_district_coun/ A morning crowd of roughly 30 people turned out to hear Karen Ansis, manager of the Conservancy’s revolving loan fund for restoration work as well as other grant programs for nonprofit organizations, discuss neighborhood preservation initiatives and highlight recently completed projects at The Historic Districts Council’s “Coffee Talk” on Dec. 7 at Neighborhood Preservation Center in Manhattan. The inquisitive group asked a variety of questions as the featured speaker detailed program guidelines and application procedures, how low-interest loans work, as well as other types of assistance available. 2009-12-18T15:25:46-05:00 2009-12-18T15:25:46-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/177_montague_street/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/177_montague_street/ In early December the Conservancy accepted the donation of a preservation easement on the former Brooklyn Trust Company Building, 177 Montague Street. The building, now a Chase branch, is one of New York’s most magnificent banks. It is located just outside the boundaries of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District. Its architects York and Sawyer designed some of the city’s grandest bank buildings. The exterior is modeled on the seventeenth century Palazzo della Gran Guardia in Verona. The building features three ornate limestone facades and is perfectly intact even down to the original massive bronze torcheres flanking the main entrance. It dates to 1915. The easement covers the building’s exterior but it is interesting to note that the banking hall was modeled on the tepidarium of the Baths of Caracalla (Third Century Roman). The concourse of the old Pennsylvania Station, which opened a year earlier, was modeled on the central hall of the Baths of Caracalla. This donation brings the Conservancy’s total collection of easements up to forty-six. If you are interested in donating a preservation easement or if you have questions about the process or the benefits of an easement donation, contact alexherrera@nylandmarks.org at the Conservancy. 2009-12-18T15:18:33-05:00 2009-12-18T15:18:33-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/conservancys_city_ventures_fund_marks_milestone_with_16k_grant_to_historic_/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/conservancys_city_ventures_fund_marks_milestone_with_16k_grant_to_historic_/ A City Ventures Fund grant to the historic YWCA of Brooklyn marked the Fund’s 50th grant since its inception in 1986. A $16,000 grant was authorized to address water penetration at the YWCA’s roof and parapets. Cutsogeorge Tooman & Allen Architects recently completed the water testing and conditions assessment of the roof and parapet to identify the causes and prescribe remedies for water penetration on the building’s upper floors. The report contains recommendations for approximately $1 million of parapet rebuilding and other masonry work. The YWCA is an enormous building designed by architects Frederick Lee Ackerman and Alexander B. Trowbridge, which opened in 1928. It was the first YWCA to integrate its residences and programs racially. The YWCA has always served as a multi-use facility, including residences and supportive housing for low-income women, a theater, a pool, health and community service organizations. The City Ventures Fund works with nonprofit organizations to retain the period details of non-landmark but architecturally significant buildings being converted to affordable housing and other services that benefit lower income communities. Since 1986, the Fund has provided over $1.2 million in grants and loans, resulting in the creation and preservation of more than 1100 affordable apartments. 2009-12-18T15:05:07-05:00 2009-12-18T15:05:07-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/Queens_Borough_President_Salutes_Conservancy_for_Guiding_Synagogues_to_List/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/Queens_Borough_President_Salutes_Conservancy_for_Guiding_Synagogues_to_List/ Queens Borough President, Helen M. Marshall, hosted the Conservancy and representatives from three historic synagogues on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Queens Borough Hall to celebrate the synagogues’ listing on National and State Registers of Historic Places. Marshall hailed Rego Park Jewish Center, Astoria Center of Israel and the Free Synagogue of Flushing as important to Queens’ history and ongoing community life. “These National Register Nominations are the first step in what we hope will be a long relationship with the Conservancy, as we work with the congregations to maintain these beautiful structures,” said Peg Breen, President of the Conservancy. The Conservancy worked to get these synagogues listed as part of an ongoing historic synagogue survey of New York’s five boroughs. Individually, the three synagogues are highly intact monuments, important repositories of religious decorative arts, and dynamic cultural institutions, each housing a variety of community arts and education programs. National Register listing makes these properties eligible for the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites grant program as well as state historic preservation matching grants. “These three synagogues embody decades of history, architectural character and cultural heritage and traditions,” said Marshall. “They are distinctive living memorials that now have a new chapter written into their history. The listing of these synagogues on the National and State Registers of Historic Places is proof of their enduring value through generations and helps ensure their future on our borough’s landscape.” Funding for this project was provided by the Preserve New York grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts. “Congregations all across the state are struggling with the cost of maintaining their older buildings, especially when faced with significant demographic changes and dwindling levels of observance,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of New York State. “The League was delighted to support the preparation of National Register nominations for these architecturally significant synagogues through our Preserve New York grant program, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.” With the assistance of architectural historian Tony Robins, the rich architectural and social history of the Rego Park Jewish Center, Astoria Center of Israel and the Free Synagogue of Flushing is thoroughly documented in the National Register nominations. Collectively, the three synagogues represent important chapters in the history and growth of Queens, and their listing deservedly swells the ranks of Queens synagogues on the National Register of Historic Places from one to four. Through its ongoing synagogue surveys of New York’s five boroughs, the Conservancy has identified dozens of landmark-quality synagogues and former synagogues in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and is currently researching Staten Island. Astoria Center of Israel is one of the few surviving early 20th century synagogues in Queens, designed by architect Louis Allen Abramson, an important architect in the development of the synagogue-center movement, and built in 1925-26 when the Jewish population of Queens was still relatively small. The synagogue sanctuary features unusual Art Deco wall and ceiling murals by noted French muralist Louis Pierre Rigal. Free Synagogue of Flushing is a 1927 Neo-Classical Revival synagogue designed by architect Maurice Courland, established as part of the reform-minded “Free Synagogue” movement. The building features a handsome carved limestone temple front, copper pediment and dome, and vivid stained glass domed skylight and windows. Rego Park Jewish Center is a sophisticated, Bauhaus-influenced modernist synagogue designed by Frank Grad & Sons, built in 1948 to serve the fast-growing Jewish population of the area. The building features a large entrance mosaic and leaded glass windows all designed by A. Raymond Katz, a major figure in twentieth century American Jewish art. 2009-12-14T14:39:21-05:00 2009-12-14T14:39:21-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/recent_wilson_sacred_sites_grants_awarded/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/project/recent_wilson_sacred_sites_grants_awarded/ Robert W. Wilson-Sacred Sites Challenge Grants are awarded for large, comprehensive, state-of-the-art restoration projects. Our 8 most recent grantees were awarded a total of $235,000: New York City Church of the Most Precious Blood, Long Island City, $40,000 for Masonry Restoration and Roof Replacement Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Island City, $30,000 for Roof & Masonry Restoration Capital Region Presbyterian Church of Rensselaerville, Rensselaerville, $35,000 for Stabilization and Restoration of Steeple United Church of Cohoes, Cohoes, $25,000 for Masonry Restoration Upstate, Central, and Western New York Christ Episcopal Church, Binghamton, $25,000 for Masonry Restoration, Cornice and Gutter Replacement Trinity Episcopal Church, Seneca Falls, $25,000 for Church tower, Chancel Arch, and Rose Window Restoration Christ Church, Rochester, $25,000 for Restoration of Roofs & Drainage Systems of Church and Steeple Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, $30,000 for Restoration of Sandstone Masonry & Tile Roof Sacred Sites Program Grants for Repair or Restoration are awarded for smaller exterior restoration or repair projects, or for the “soft” or design or planning costs of a larger restoration project. Eight congregations (including two churches who also received challenge grants in this round, and one congregation that received both a repair and a planning grant) were awarded 9 matching grants totaling $51,000: New York City Christ Church Riverdale, Bronx, $8,000 for Masonry Restoration of South-East Wall & Window Union Baptist Church (Bedford Stuyvesant), Brooklyn, $7,500 for Stained Glass Window Restoration Capital Region New Covenant Christian Fellowship, Albany, $4,000 to Replace Roof Above Childrens Sanctuary Presbyterian Church of Rensselaerville, Rensselaerville, $6,000 for Architectural & Engineering Services for Tower Restoration Upstate, Central, and Western New York Christ Church, Walton, $2,500 for Architectural Services for Tower Restoration First Presbyterian Church of Holland Patent, Holland Patent, $3,500 for Construction Documents for Roof Restoration & $10,000 for Metal Roof Restoration Trinity Church, Constantia, $3,000 for New Roof Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, $6,500 for Plans & Specifications for Exterior Restoration In 2009, we awarded $400,000 in Robert W. Wilson Challenge grants, $91,000 in Sacred Sites Grant pledges and $46,500 in Consulting Grants. 2009-11-30T18:48:49-05:00 2009-11-30T18:48:49-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/conservancy_to_co-sponsor_paul_goldberger_book_talk_on_architecture_peg_bre/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/conservancy_to_co-sponsor_paul_goldberger_book_talk_on_architecture_peg_bre/ The Lower East Side Tenement Museum Book Shop was packed with people eager to hear Paul Goldberger, America’s foremost interpreter of public architecture, present his two new books, Why Architecture Matters and Building Up and Tearing Down: Reflections on the Age of Architecture. The Conservancy co-sponsored the event and Peg Breen, Conservancy President, gave the introduction. The prolific author offered his own way of seeing and experiencing the built world and how it impacts our lives. “Architecture is the making of place. Architecture is the making of memory,” he said. Goldberger explained Why Architecture Matters helps us “come to grips with how architecture affects us emotionally as well as intellectually,” while Building Up and Tearing Down: Reflections on the Age of Architecture is a series of critiques of structures around the world, from shopping malls to museums to skyscrapers. “When we talk about how architecture matters, it is important to understand that the way in which it matters —beyond, of course, the obvious fact of shelter — is the way in which any kind of art matters: it makes life better,” Goldberger said as he read an excerpt from Why Architecture Matters. The writer spoke about how his experience growing up in New Jersey on the “wrong side” of the river played a critical role in his personal experience with architecture and how each of us has a shared cultural and a personal memory of architecture. “Architecture connects us to occasions of human contact, which makes them a living part of the world,” he said. After the presentation, the audience asked Goldberger a range of questions from whether there is an “absolute” in architectural criticism to what the writer thought about the new academic building at Cooper Union. “Cooper Union is a very strong, very impressive building.” Goldberger said. “Cooper Union’s conversation to its location is successful.” As the audience turned their questions to Penn Station, Peg Breen highlighted the Conservancy’s ongoing push to turn the landmark Farley Post Office into a great Moynihan Station. “The fact that that hasn’t happened is one of the great tragedies of New York.” Goldberger said. Paul Goldberger is the architecture critic for The New Yorker, where since 1997 he has written the magazine’s celebrated “Sky Line” column. He also holds the Joseph Urban Chair in Design and Architecture at The New School in Manhattan. He began his career at The New York Times, where in 1984, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Criticism. Praise for Goldberger’s new books: “Here is a succinct, lyrical and heartfelt book that celebrates the best works of architecture and points the way to being able to build more of it in the world today.” — Alain de Botton, author of The Architecture of Happiness Building Up and Tearing Down: Reflections on the Age of Architecture “Paul’s greatest contribution is his writing about cities. How architecture hits the pavement, how projects relate to their surroundings, how physical change affects how we feel about places is his genius.” — Kent Barwick, President of the Municipal Art Society of New York 2009-11-18T22:10:41-05:00 2009-11-18T22:10:41-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/conservancy_president_unveils_penn_station_model_at_botanical_garden/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/details/conservancy_president_unveils_penn_station_model_at_botanical_garden/ Peg Breen joined Gregory Long, president of the New York Botanical Garden, at an unveiling of the latest addition to their annual holiday train show — a model of the original Pennsylvania Station, all made from plant materials. “This exhibit is a lot of fun but also a great reminder of how important preserving our important buildings is to New York,” said Peg Breen. “We’re delighted that this show emphasizes landmarks in a most enjoyable way.” The popular exhibit features many models of familiar New York buildings and landmarks. It opens to the public this Saturday and continues through early January. The Garden is both a New York City and National HIstoric Landmark. 2009-11-18T17:11:30-05:00 2009-11-18T17:11:30-05:00 http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_seminar_features_expert_panel_on_sustainability_in_historic_hou/ http://www.nylandmarks.org/advocacy/preservation_issues/conservancy_seminar_features_expert_panel_on_sustainability_in_historic_hou/ The recent rush in the U.S. to build green has created a climate of confusion for those seeking practical advice on sustainability in historic houses. The Conservancy, with funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has set out to ensure that preservation basics are not lost when buzzwords such as “greenscape,” “lo-energy” or “LEED” leave homeowners unsure how to maintain their properties, or under the impression that “green” building is only for new construction. This third and final seminar in a series, “Preservation is Sustainability: How to Make Your Older House More Energy Efficient” featured a select group of preservationists and architects who provided the critical framework on sustainability in historic houses. Located in the historic Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, experts discussed their own experiences in restoration amid the green-building boom, highlighting successes and areas that should be rethought. Rebecca Williams, Program Officer with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, talked about why greening existing buildings is a critical component to fighting climate change. She also said homeowners should restore rather than replace historic wood windows. “The result (of replacing historic wood windows) is the rapid erosion of the building’s character, the waste of a historic resource, and a potential loss in energy conservation,” Williams said. Adding to the conversation was Walter Sedovic, Principal and CEO of Walter Sedovic Architects, who debunked advertising campaigns suggesting that the first order of business should be to replace old windows. Sedovic also discussed in detail about the importance of building responsibly. “Sustainability and preservation are a natural marriage, so long as one remains mindful that sustainability is not just about energy conservation.” Sedovic said. Diana F. Pangestu, NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities Coordinator, spoke on energy efficiency and renewable resources using community-based outreach, energy education forums, and one-on-one consulting as well as financial incentives for energy efficiency in existing buildings. Having rehabilitated eighty-one apartment buildings in New York City, Chris Benedict, R.A. ARCHITECTURE AND ENERGY LIMITED, is a licensed architect in the region who spoke on “ideal building” from an energy and performance perspective as well as on performance issues and solutions for existing buildings with modern “programs.” William Neeley, Jr., Deputy Director at Preservation, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, gave an in-depth talk on working with the Landmarks Preservation Commission, energy efficiency enhancements and the LPC’s “Green Committee.” Reverend David Dyson, Pastor of Lafayette Avenue Church, also treated attendees to a special tour of the historic church, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The awe-inspiring house of worship features an impressive collection of Tiffany windows and a massive mural commissioned to reflect the diversity of the community and the church, titled “Mighty Cloud of Witnesses.” This project has been funded in part by a grant from the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Online Resources Energy Star Tax Credit Program http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits National Trust for Historic Preservation http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/ New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission http://www.nyc.gov/landmarks New York State Energy Research and Development Authority http://www.nyserda.org http://www.getenergysmart.org/ Seattle Green Building Guides http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/GreenBuilding/SingleFamilyResidential/Resources/RemodelingGuides/default.asp Solar One http://www.solar1.org 2009-11-15T19:21:01-05:00 2009-11-15T19:21:01-05:00