March 2024 Conference in Charlottesville, VA

For Immediate Release: April 8, 2024

Contact: Peter H. Miller Hon AIA, pmiller@traditionalbuilding.com

The Traditional Building Conference kicked off the 2024 Series at Alumni Hall on the grounds of the University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville, VA on March 26 and 27. Architects, designers, builders, craftspeople, building owner/managers and supplier attendees earned 8.5 AIA HSW credits from a curriculum that included seminars and architectural tours featuring classical design, historic restoration/renovation, and materials and methods.

The architectural tours included the recently restored UVA presidents house, Carr’s Hill, the Rotunda, the Academical Village and Lawn, Monticello, University Parish of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the University Chapel. There was also a sketching tour on the portico of Jefferson’s Rotunda and the Pavilions that frame the Academical Village.

Nakita Reed, AIA, and Senior Associate with Quinn Evans gave the keynote address about how historic preservation and the adaptive reuse of traditional buildings is important for fostering a sustainable future. Sam Arcot of Rugo Stone and a certified instructor for the Natural Stone Institute discussed the LEED­–rated features of natural stone. Classical architect Sheldon Kostelecky documented the continuum of classicism from ancient Greece and Rome through Palladio, Thomas Jefferson and into the modern era. Richard Guy Wilson, the Commonwealth Professor of architectural history at the University of Virginia outlined the vision that Jefferson had for education when he conceived of the Academical Village, the Lawn, and Rotunda. Wilson and historic preservation architect Joseph D. Lahendro, FAIA conducted a tour of the pavilions and the UVA Lawn. Attendees learned about Jefferson–designed buildings and Stanford White’s later work on the Lawn.

Another tour on offer was the Stanford White designed Carr’s Hill, the residence for the University President. The construction of the president’s house in 1909 signaled a shift in informal governance to a new system led by a president. Carr’s Hill serves as an important gathering place for students, faculty, staff and university guests. Susan Reed, AIA; Lori Garrett, FAIA; Randy Holmes, FAIA; and Leah Embrey, of from Glave and Holmes, Architects conducted this tour with assistance from Matt Scheidt, AIA, and Clay Palazzo, AIA, John G. Waite Associates, Architects, PLLC, associated architects for the project; John Matteo, PE, Matteo Ferran Structural Engineers, PLLC and Paul B Josey, PLA, ASLA, ISA, Principal, Wolf Josey Landscape Architects.

Clay Palazzo and Matt Scheidt, John G. Waite Associates, Architects, PLLC, presented an informative lecture about the complex restoration of the Rotunda with a tour immediately following. Scheidt and Palazzo were joined by historic preservation architect Joseph D. Lahendro and Interior Designer Jessica Ritter from Glavé and Holmes. This landmark project won a 2019 Palladio Award from Traditional Building.

The Traditional Building Conference also featured tours of two churches that serve the Charlottesville community- The University Chapel Restoration and the construction of a new Romanesque chapel for St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish.

Ethan Anthony, AIA, President and Principal Architect, Cram and Ferguson Architects, LLC was joined by project manager Matthew Alderman, also from Cram and Ferguson; William Adams, AIA Train Architecture, and Dan Fagan, Alexander Nicholson Construction conducted the tour.

St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish needed a new chapel for the University of Virginia Catholic student community to replace an outgrown 1994 building. The new building adds additional program space and seating required by the fast-growing student community. The original chapel received a large addition in 2002 and then the chapel itself was outgrown.

Lucy Midelfort, Conservator and Curator of Historic Architecture, and Gardiner Hallock, Senior Vice President of Preservation and Operations at Monticello conducted an architectural tour, the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson referred to his evolving dwelling as “my essay in architecture.” Attendees were guided through the house by docents who explained their work to maintain, preserve, and restore this National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Traditional Building Conference Series sponsors make this educational and networking program possible. Traditional building material suppliers, installers, speakers, and attendees’ network and share their knowledge about historic preservation, restoration/renovation and period-inspired new construction. The next two events in this year’s Traditional Building Conference Series also feature in-depth presentations on materials, methods, case studies and the practical ways in which traditional building designers and builders create and maintain sustainable and durable residential and non-residential buildings.

Traditional Building Conference Series Platinum sponsors include Allied Window, Cambek, The European Company, Hartstone, Historical Arts & Casting, Kolbe Windows and Doors, Ludowici, Marvin, Mon-Ray, Oliveri Millwork, Pilkington and Wilmette Hardware.

Bronze Sponsors are Allen Architectural Metals, Cold Mountain Windows and Doors, Gaston & Wyatt, Historic Doors and Rugo Stone.