Schedule
The Traditional Building Conference Series, now in its twenty-fifth year, has interesting, informative and inspirational education and architectural tours planned for 2025. Three of America's most historic locations will be our living laboratories for learning about architectural history, traditional design and craftsmanship. Earn up to 10 AIA Continuing Education Units in each event, most HSWs. Meet industry experts and network with your professional peers in intimate settings with excellent food!
Stay tuned here for updates on seminars, demonstrations, architectural tours and social events.
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OUR NEXT CONFERENCE:
June 10 & 11, 2025
Colonial Williamsburg
Williamsburg Lodge
310 South England Street
Williamsburg, VA
REGISTER NOW
Join your professional peers, collaborators, clients, suppliers, and friends in historic Williamsburg, VA, for two days of AIA CEU education, architectural tours, and networking at the historic Williamsburg Lodge, June 10-11, 2025!
Earn up to 10 AIA Continuing Education Credits, mostly HSW.
In Collaboration with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art .
SCHEDULE
Schedule as of March 31, subject to change.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast, Registration, and Exhibits
9:00 - 9:15 AM
Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 10:15 AM
The Historic Restoration of Williamsburg 1926-2025
This course has been submitted to the AIA for Credit review (60 minutes).
Speaker: Carl R. Lounsbury, Adjunct Associate Professor of History, the College of William and Mary and retired Senior Architectural Historian, Colonial Williamsburg
Nearly 100 years ago, an unlikely combination of people, America’s wealthiest citizens, academics, architects, landscape architects and locals rallied to restore historic Williamsburg, Virginia. The story of this restoration tells a second story about the evolution of historic preservation from an arcane novelty to mainstream urban planning in the U S.
Dr. William Goodwin, an early advocate for Williamsburg, made the case for historic preservation’s pursuit of integrity and authenticity. Williamsburg has strived to conduct research, excavate archeological sites, and use both traditional craft and evolving technologies in this effort. The Williamsburg foundation and the community are forever moving forward in their collective understanding and interpretation of the past.
This session will examine efforts to preserve and restore Williamsburg since 1926.
Learning Objectives:
- Cite key facts about the history of Williamsburg.
- Explain how the restoration of Williamsburg has revealed information about the political, cultural, social, and architectural history of Virginia and the U S.
- Discuss important revelations from archeological research and building investigation that are guiding historic preservation practice today.
- Acknowledge Williamsburg’s role in understanding the Colonial Revival in America.
- Appreciate Colonial Williamsburg’s research and information about Virginia’s vernacular architectural heritage.
10:15-10:40 AM
Networking Break
10:40- 11:45 AM
Colonial Williamsburg: Historic Research and Modern Technology
This course is approved through IDCEC 1.0 / AIA 1.0 HSW / IDC 1.0
Presenter: James Brice, Architectural & Design Representative; DC, Virginia, and North Carolina; Benjamin Moore
The Williamsburg palette, inspired by 18th-century hues, traces back over 235 years. This course covers the enduring relevance of these historic colors, exploring their evolution from traditional materials like linseed oils to today’s zero-VOC coatings which are enhanced by colorant technology. The Williamsburg palette offers the most authentic representation of 18th-century colors, reimagined for contemporary design.
11:45 am -12:20 pm
Color and Paint Analysis at Williamsburg
This course has been submitted to the AIA for credit review.
Presenter: Kirsten Travers Moffitt, Senior Conservator & Materials Analyst, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Williamsburg, VA
Architectural paint research has advanced significantly over the past century, particularly with recent technological innovations. What once relied on careful scrapes to identify original colors is now supported by specialized microscopes, which provides a better understanding of how paint weathers and changes over time. Colonial Williamsburg, working with the Grainger Department of Architectural Preservation and Research, is at the forefront of paint analysis.
This lecture will explore the evolution of paint research at Colonial Williamsburg, introduce the latest methods in architectural paint analysis, and present case studies that highlight how these techniques enhance our understanding of both a building’s history and its inhabitants.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore state-of-the-art paint analysis technologies that document a building's history and reveal its decorative schemes.
- Examine the history of traditional paints, their social significance, and the challenges of accurate interpretation.
12:20 pm -1:10
Lunch, Networking and Exhibits
1:10-1:45 PM
Classical Craft and Architecture at the Veritas School
This course has been submitted to the AIA for credit review (30 minutes)
Presenter: Gibson Worsham, Restoration Architect and Architectural Historian, Glave & Holmes Architects, Richmond, VA
The Veritas School engaged Glave & Holmes for the renovation of North Hall (formerly DuBose Hall). This two-story structure, located at the head of the school’s central lawn, was built in 1952 as the administrative building for the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. Veritas desired to reinforce the building’s key position as the home of the Upper School, while creating dynamic learning environments and offices for Upper School students, teachers, and administrators. The building serves as a welcoming “front porch” to the campus and is the venue for graduation ceremonies. Interior improvements include a new two-story lobby adorned with classical details of finely crafted plaster, and Ionic pilasters incorporating the school’s lion mascot, a modillion cornice, and a coved ceiling. Classically designed door frames emphasize the importance of each classroom. Additional components of this project included updates to all mechanical and safety systems, new restrooms, and ADA accessibility.
2:00 -5:15 PM
Tours – Choose one (to be repeated on Wednesday) each day.
The tours have been submitted to the AIA for credit review. (3 hours)
Traditional Trades and Craftsmanship Demonstrations
Hard Hat Tours: The Wren Building and Blow Hall at the College of William and Mary
Williamsburg Architectural Walking Tour
Wednesday, June 11
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast, Registration, and Exhibits
9:00 - 9:15 AM
Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 10:15 AM
Traditional Architecture, Building, and Urbanism: Lessons from Williamsburg
Presenter: Christine Huckins Franck, AIA, ICAA, INTBAU, NCARB, Christine Huckins Franck Architect, LLC, Denver, CO
This course has been submitted to the AIA for credit review.
Williamsburg has endured and evolved for more than 300 years. The village has much to teach us about how communities survive and thrive. Williamsburg has seen three governments, two wars, fire, and economic upheaval. Today the community is livable, lovable, and walkable.
How has Williamsburg blended vernacular Virginia architecture and built a thriving community in which people live and work next door to the largest museum in the world? The town addresses traffic, caring for locals and visitors, preserving and reconstructing the past while making room for the future.
Learning Objectives:
- Consider how preservation and reconstruction give stability to residents and visitors alike in everchanging circumstances.
- Assess the perpetuation of Virginia vernacular architecture, and how it makes the community livable, with an emotional impact on people.
- Explain the value of good building stewardship and how it builds pride of place and a respect for good craftsmanship.
- Describe sound urban planning practice which balances the needs of local residents and international visitors.
10:15-10:40 AM
Networking Break
10:40- 11:45 AM
Hand-Crafted Concrete Architectural Elements for New Traditional Buildings and Historic Preservation
Presenter: Steve Kamin, Hartstone Co. Inc., Louisville, KY
1 AIA HSW Learning Unit
Concrete has been used for millennia. Beginning in the late 19th century, it became a material of choice for architectural elements. Under the supervision of skilled craftspeople, the material can be molded into custom neoclassical, gothic, and mid-century modern designs. This course will provide an overview of the performance capabilities of concrete; case studies of how the material has been used for historic preservation and new construction. and offer considerations for the appropriate product application.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the use of concrete products for historic preservation and new traditional construction.
- Cite case studies. Apply lessons learned for a variety of concrete products.
- Discuss the performance capabilities of concrete products.
- Discuss Solar Reflective Index (SRI) ratings.
11:45 am-12:40 pm
Lunch
12:40 – 1:45 PM
The Use of Digital Technologies to Preserve and Maintain Historic Buildings
Presenter: Eric N. Kuchar, Senior Manager, MCWB Architects, Williamsburg, VA
This course has been submitted to the AIA for credit review.
This session will provide an in-depth look at the digital tools available to owners, architects, and facilities managers for collecting and storing building data. These tools help make informed decisions about routine building maintenance and rehabilitation.
Through case studies, we will discuss conditions assessment reports, historic structures reports, historic and current photographs, historic and renovation drawings, scan data, BIM models, and repair data.
Additionally, we will explore how Matterport, laser scanning, UAV data collection, HBIM, and meta data in scanned reports and drawings can be compiled into a Living Historic Structure Report and continually updated for future generations. To bring these concepts to life, scanning equipment will be available to view the equipment in action.
2:00 - 5:15 PM
Tours – choice of one (see descriptions on Tuesday) each day.
The tours have been submitted to the AIA for credit review.
Colonial Williamsburg Traditional Trades and Craftsmanship Demonstrations
Hard Hat Tours: The Wren Building and Blow Hall at the College of William and Mary
Williamsburg Architectural Walking Tour
UPCOMING 2025 CONFERENCES:
October 7 & 8, 2025
Tappan Hill Mansion
81 Highland Ave
Tarrytown, NY
Earn AIA Learning Units:
The Traditional Building Conference Series is a registered provider of AIA continuing education credits. Credits for ASID, NARI, AIBD, and some NAHB certifications are available.
Check out some of our previous conferences:
Coral Gables, 2021
2020 Virtual Conference
Winston-Salem 2019
Winterthur 2019
Oak Park 2018
Brooklyn 2017
Salem 2017
Charleston 2017
Washington, D.C. 2016
Pittsburgh 2016
New Haven 2016
Frequent & Past Attendees Include:
Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Consiglia Construction
Historical Concepts
Peter Pennoyer Architects
Shawmut Construction
Christman Construction
EYP Architects
Fairfax and Sammons Architects
Glave and Holmes Architects
Shope Reno Architects
Barnes Vanze Architects
Horizon Builders
David M Schwartz Architects
Harrison Design
Schooly Caldwell Architects
The Architect of the U.S. Capitol
The National Park Service
City of Denver
General Services Administration
U.S Department of State
Duke University
Princeton University
MIT
University of Virginia
South Carolina Historic preservation Office
American College of the Building Arts
New York City Landmarks
Past Webinar Attendees Include:
Texas Historical Commission
City of Jacksonville
N.C. State University
Historic Santa Fe Foundation
U.S. Army
City of Hattiesburg MS.
Historic Rehab Contractors Inc.
Metropolitan Restorations Company Inc.
Bell Architects
City of Auburn AL.
Vanderbilt University
Johnson Laskey Architects
Vanccouver Heritage Foundation
Wesleyan University