Historic Preservation Symposium eyes adaptive reuse research

Texas A&M's Center for Heritage Conservation focused on the adaptation of old structures for new purposes during "Adaptive Reuse: Architecture as Found Object," the 13th annual Historic Preservation Symposium Feb. 25 and 26 at the Langford Architecture Center's Preston Geren Auditorium.

"Adaptive reuse is one of the most sustainable things we can do," said Robert Warden, director of the CHC. "A lot of data shows that reusing our existing building stock preserves culture and saves energy and materials."

Kansas City's Union Station serves as a good example of adaptive reuse. Abandoned and decaying, renovation of the grand old train station, overseen by Nancy McCoy '81, an outstanding alumna of the College of Architecture, was completed in 1999. Union Station now houses Science City, a family-friendly interactive science center, an IMAX theater, shops, restaurants and temporary museum exhibit space.

The symposium began as attendees toured an example of adaptive reuse on the Texas A&M campus: the YMCA building, which McCoy, principal of Quimby McCoy Preservation Architecture, is overseeing.

The tour was followed with a public keynote address by K.T. Ravindran, head of the Department of Urban Design in the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, India.

His professional design practice includes urban design, institutional campuses, conservation, museum interiors and exhibition formats. As consultant to the president of India, he has designed two museums and curated their contents for the country's highest political office.

The symposium continued Feb. 26 with presentations by Ryan Jones, Lake | Flato Architects; Aaron Lubeck, author; Elisabeth Knibbe, Quinn Evans Architects and Ron Staley, The Christman Company.

Ryan Jones '00 has worked on several adaptive reuse projects including the Lance Armstrong Foundation in Austin and Pearl Brewery in San Antonio. He believes architects have a responsibility to rehabilitate the built environment, and that adaptive reuse is a sustainable approach to preserving and reconnecting our historical urban fabric. Jones was an influential member of the Texas A&M Bonfire Memorial design team, and earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design at Texas A&M in 2000.

Aaron Lubeck is the author of the book "Green Restorations: Sustainable Building and Historic Homes," which examines the converging of historic preservation and environmentalism. As a member of the United States Green Building Council, National Association of Homebuilders, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Lubeck’s work emphasizes environmental impact, building science and finance. He is a specialist in using historic tax credit incentives to fund green building features.

Elisabeth Knibbe , principal at Quinn Evans Architects’ Ann Arbor, Michigan office, has more than 25 years' experience in architecture and historic preservation. A member of the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows, Knibbe is dedicated to a wide range of adaptive reuse and community revitalization projects, including residential, office and hotel space.

Ronald D. Staley ,The Christman Company's senior vice president for mid-Atlantic operations, serves as principal in charge of both Christman's mid-Atlantic business unit and the company's historic preservation unit. He founded Christman's historic preservation group and has since led it to national prominence, directing multiple, highly visible preservation projects to national, state and local awards for teamwork, unique delivery methods and quality. He brings to all his projects a strong background in management systems, understanding of early project planning, pre-construction and design services, and successful construction delivery.