Historic Preservation: Courses

This studio and lecture course focuses on the restoration design of existing historic buildings (following the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines) using historic photographs, working drawings, and descriptions; stylistic analysis; and similar building topologies. Historical structural systems, construction methods, and mechanical systems are also studied and researched. Restoration drawings are prepared to document the changes needed for restoration.

Why do buildings get sick and how do we make them well? This course examines the deterioration (by man and nature) of building materials and their component systems. Through lectures and field studies, students will study the symptoms, diagnose the problem, determine what tests are needed, and how to remedy the effect . Field trips included.

This studio will be dedicated to researching historic and construction methodology, collecting archival photographs and generating 3D video footage of important Chicago Landmark buildings. The new 3D Handycam will be used for overall building recordation; the Recording Binoculars will be utilized for focusing in on architectural details at greater heights that are not visible to the naked eye from the street. Students will generate narrated film shorts that will be produced using Keynote and IMovie, which will be made available to Chicago area preservation advocacy groups such as Landmarks Illinois or the Chicago Architecture Foundation to promote greater interest in our cultural heritage. Undergraduate students are eligible to register for this class.

This lecture/discussion course covers the history, theory, and practice of preserving historic resources by law. Analysis of significant national, state, and local preservation law; legal strategies for protecting historic sites and districts; preservation case law, etc.

This course covers the identification, conservation, and restoration of historic architectural, furniture, and decorative arts finishes (paints, varnishes, glazes, gilding, plating, coatings, etc.)their history (especially in America), and their components and applications. Appropriate conservation strategies and techniques will be demonstrated. Students will participate in discussions on the ethics and philosophy of surface conservation.

A continuation of Thesis I, this seminar covers the final writing, editing, printing, and oral presentation of the master's thesis. Open only to students in their final semester.

This course will expose students to restoration methods underway in workshops, studios and on jobsites. Under the guidance of master carpenters, glaziers, masons, decorative artists and other professionals, students will be introduced to various restoration methods. Proper protection, tool care and usage, jobsite mobilization, scaffolding and rigging, etc. will be covered. Students will be graded on one team project under the instructor's supervision, along with individual projects that entail the research, restoration and documentation of a building artifact.

This course investigates the materials and techniques used in North American building construction. The history and development of materials, their physical properties, and characteristics are studied. Building construction methods are explored including adobe, wood, stone, brick, concrete, and steel construction. Research papers and oral presentations are required. Lecture and field trips.

This lecture/discussion course surveys the various historical theories, philosophies, and practices of building conservation, preservation, and restoration both in Europe and America. Students investigate historical and contemporary attitudes towards 'history' and how these attitudes influence preservation planning and restoration today. Students develop a personal preservation ethic through discussion of preservation theory.

This course develops the drawing and drafting skills needed to both record and represent historic sites and buildings. It also gives an overview of the uses of photography, computer graphics, photogrammetry, and other specialized techniques in historic preservation. Site visits included.

This lecture/discussion course examines practical and philosophical issues in planning for preservation and the methods for implementation. Among the topics included are preservation surveys and ordinances, zoning and building codes, historical district and landmark designation, design review, preservation agencies (local, state, and national) and their roles, preservation economics and incentives, public relations, and interpretation. Lecture with field trips.

A selected neighborhood or region is studied, researched, and analyzed. The tools of preservation planning are practiced in the field-including the analysis and history of individual buildings, the study of various building types and their place in the community, the impact of transportation and institutions on the historic fabric, and the history of the community over time. Students conduct surveys of historic resources, prepare a comprehensive report, and present their findings before the community.

This lecture/discussion course introduces students to the broad range of issues involved in the management of historic sites and the non-profit organizations that operate them. Major topics include interpretation, archival methods, budgeting, security, ethics, volunteers, boards, fundraising, education, public programming, planning and managing restoration projects, and disaster preparedness. Students will create a fictitious site at the beginning of the term and will formulate a mission statement, site description, budget, press release, and simple interpretive plan and collections policy. Guest lecturers and field trips to several local sites are included during the term. The final project is an oral report based on a site assessment and visit to an historic or arts-related site of the student?s choosing.

This course is a historical examination of American interior design, furniture, and decorative arts from colonial beginnings to the 1960s. The emphasis will be on the architectural and decorative interior styles (both high and common) prevalent in U.S. history, and their European, Middle Eastern, and Asian influences. Both public and private interiors will be covered. Field trips are included.

In this seminar/lecture/lab course, students learn the fundamentals of building conservation and repair techniques. Basic microscopy practices are taught through historic finishes analysis. Means of chemical and physical testing of historic building materials, cleaning methods and agents, protection, water repellents and consolidation, patching and repair, use and abuse of adhesives, etc. are discussed. Student presentations, guest lectures, laboratory work and field trips.

This is a seminar on selecting, researching, analyzing, designing, organizing, and writing the Historic Preservation thesis. Students learn how to research and select their thesis topic; prepare an outline, abstract, and bibliography; and defend their thesis topic before a faculty panel. They select their readers, and complete most of the research for the thesis writing.