I am moderator and session leader for a panel presentation at the APTI Charleston 2012 Conference. I am also involved in a bunch of other activities at this APT-PTN event. More news to follow in time.
Session Code: CS13 Session Title: Project Management: Contractor Interface
When: Tuesday, October 2, 8:15-9:45,
Where: Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, SC
The best practice of historic preservation technology requires that architects, engineers and conservators work closely in a team structure that includes those who practice in the contracting of traditional trades, as well as the stewards and owners of historic properties. It is not a situation of one body of knowledge being higher than another, it is a reasonable case of their being more knowledge under the sun than can be fit in the vessel of one person's lifetime. Best practice is that we bring the diversity of our minds and our experience forward and work together for the common goal of heritage conservation.
This session will explore, celebrate, bring forth and question why and how all of us can best work together within the preservation industry.
Ilene Tyler, Quinn Evans Architects and John Fletcher of National Restoration
Paper Title: From HSR to Restoration: the Fort Gratiot Light Station Demonstrates Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration at Every Step of the Process
Brief Synopsis: Fort Gratiot Light Station is located at Port Huron, Michigan. In the process of the project there was a problem, as yet unresolved, with an applied coating system. Ilene Tyler and I have been friends for a number of years, we have presented together and worked together on projects. I am particularly interested in work on lighthouses and can reflect on issues that I was involved to help sort out many years ago at the Montauk Lighthouse. Ilene and John's presentation will combine the perspective of the preservation architect in collaboration with the preservation contractor.
Robert Cagnetta, Heritage Restoration, Inc. and Leland Torrence, Leland Torrence Enterprises Paper
Title: Achieving Project Success Through Professional Collaboration of the Trades and Design
Brief Synopsis: 1862 First Congregational Church, Bristol, RI. A relatively unique approach was made toward the creation and composition of the project team that includes a close collaboration and communication with the stewards of the structure. Rob is currently the president of the Preservation Trades Network. I feel for him as I am the first-past president of PTN. Rob represents the preservation contractor and Leland represents the position of an owner's representative. I am friends with and do business with both individuals. Rob's firm hired me early on to this project as a stonemasonry consultant. My hope is that they will talk about the excavation of a whole lot of clay-mud from underneath the structure.
Stewart Dohrman, Coastal Heritage Society
Title: Preserving Public Money: A Recipe for Success (Avoiding Blood-Sport Contractors)
Brief Synopsis: I like railroads and trains and train facility structures. Involved in facilitation of preservation work at the Central of Georgia Railroad Shops Complex in Savannah, Georgia Stewart will explore strategies by which a public agency has been able to stretch their funding dollars and at the same time enable the employ of local tradtitional trades practitioners. Doing quality historic preservation work using public money can be a challenge. The traditional low-bid public procurement system seems to conspire against good preservation work. Explore ways to use existing and alternate public procurement systems to do high quality historic preservation projects.
APT Student Scholar, Jeremy Robbins MS Candidate UMass Amherst
Title: Re-Examining the Contributions of Civil Engineer and Inventor William Wheeler
Brief Synopsis: William Wheeler is credited with the invention of light pipes (fiber optics) and first proposed their use as a source for central lighting in a structure. Jeremy gave a very interesting presentation at the APT-NE symposium in Hartfod, CT on historic lighting. I have specifically asked Jeremy to extend his study and presentation to include discussions with contemporary trades involved in fiber optic installations, with a focus to how they will relate to a history of their trade, and he will be interviewing them in regard of the implementation of single source lighting in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum gallery space.
