Join the San Antonio Conservation Society during Preservation Month for a day exploring mid-century modern architecture and how to preserve it! Here’s the scoop:
As part of National Preservation Month, the San Antonio Conservation Society along with the Texas Historical Commission is sponsoring a half-day seminar–with an optional bus/walking tour that same morning–entitled “Mid-Century Modern: It’s About Time.” Featuring panels of local and regional experts, the seminar will focus on mid-century modern architecture and design from the 1930s to 1970, and their importance in San Antonio’s architectural history. The event will take place on Friday, May 4, 2012 in the AIA – San Antonio Center for Architecture, 200 East Grayson Street, San Antonio.
“By engaging design professionals, students, professors, business owners, homeowners and others with a common interest in this period, it is the Society’s goal to explore and discuss how mid-twentieth century design is woven into the tapestry of San Antonio’s past, as well as its future,” says Nancy Avellar, President, San Antonio Conservation Society. “The time has come to recognize some of our cherished institutions such as Trinity University and the Institute of Texan Cultures, not only for their educational value, but for the importance of their architecture.”
The schedule for the day is:
• 9 a.m. to noon – Optional bus/walking tour of Trinity University and HemisFair Park conducted by Stephen Fox – $15 per person
• Noon to 1 p.m. – Optional lunch and networking –$15 per person
• 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Seminar –$20 per person
The keynote speaker for the seminar will be Christine Madrid French, past director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Modernism +Recent Past program, and former president and co-founder of the Recent Past Preservation Network.
Other noted speakers, moderators and panelists for the seminar include:
• Greg Smith – National Register Coordinator, Texas Historical Commission; discussion will cover Mid-Century Modern buildings considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
• Anna Mod – a historic preservation specialist with LFC, Inc.; a lecturer at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, University of Houston; and a senior member of Houston Mod. She will speak about the successes of Houston Mod.
• Rebecca Schenker, AIA – the founding principal of Weave Architecture and a former president of AIA San Antonio. She will discuss the adaptive use project for the Women’s Pavilion at HemisFair Park.
• Stephen Fox – architectural historian; fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas; adjunct lecturer in architecture at Rice University and the University of Houston.
His remarks will address the current tear down threat to Mid-Century Modern buildings.
• Kathryn O’Rourke – professor at Trinity University on art and architecture of Latin America. She recently organized the highly successful symposium on O’Neil Ford’s work at Trinity University.
• Jenni Minner – president of Mid Tex Mod; doctoral student in the Community and Regional Planning program, with a concentration in historic preservation, at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture; and a project manager for the Austin Historical Survey.
Seating is limited and advance registration is required. To register for this seminar, please visit http://www.saconservation.org/events/seminars.htm (see link to registration form at the bottom of the page). Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, May 2nd.
All events (bus tour; lunch and seminar) begin or take place at the AIA-San Antonio Center for Architecture located in the Pearl Full Goods Building. Free parking is available in the adjacent Koehler Garage on Level 3 and above. Enter the Pearl complex off East Grayson Street and follow signs to the garage.
For more information, contact the San Antonio Conservation Society at 210-224-6163 or email conserve@saconservation.org.
