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M.S. Historic Preservation

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Kemuning Adiputri, Elaf Alsibyani, Daoxin Chen, Jerry Schmit, Meghan Vonden Steinen

Spring 2022 - GIS for Preservation
Bilge Kose

Studio

Spring 2021 - HP Studio II
Erica Avrami, Morgan O'Hara

Andres Alvarez Davila

Fall 2021 - Advanced Studio III-Joint Historic Preservation/Architecture Studio
Jorge Otero-Pailos

Seo Jun Oh

Fall 2019 - Advanced Studio III-Historic Preservation Technology Studio
Carlos Bayod Lucini

The Columbia Community: Promoting Inclusion Through Preservation

Studio Publication

Fall 2016 - Advanced Studio III - Joint Historic Preservation/Urban Planning Studio
Erica Avrami

Studio Publication

Spring 2017 - HP Studio II
Erica Avrami

Zhiyue Zhang, NinaLang

Fall 2018 - Advanced Studio III-Historic Preservation Technology Studio
Adam Lowe, Carlos Bayod Lucini

Micah Tichenor

Fall 2018 - Studio 1-Historic Preservation Studio
Andrew Dolkart, Kim Yao, Claudia Kavenagh

Drew Barnhart, Claire Cancilla

Fall 2019 - Advanced Studio III-Historic Preservation Technology Studio
Carlos Bayod Lucini

Valerie Smith

Spring 2021 - GIS for Preservation
Bilge Kose

Field Trip to the Glass House in New Canaan by the “Building Conditions Assessment” course led by Faculty Kyle Normandin

Overview

The M.S. in Historic Preservation Program curriculum educates students to create new, future-oriented roles for built heritage that promote inclusive and resilient communities. With a particular focus on adapting to climate change and promoting social justice, the curriculum integrates humanist, scientific, and technological approaches necessary for students to shape the future of the profession: including the reuse of buildings, the design of adaptation technologies, planning and policy innovations, social and historical research, materials science and digital computation applied to the 3D scanning, documentation, assessment, monitoring, and care of built heritage. The program frames preservation both as an experimental form of creative expression and as a critical form of collective action guided by philosophical, ethical, and critical thinking, supported by evidence of its benefits to society, and enabled by emerging technologies and policy tools. We teach preservation as a social, material, and environmental process; as a way of thinking and acting through buildings and places of cultural significance to improve the built environment and people’s quality of life. The program’s curriculum and academic activities express an ongoing commitment to anti-racist systemic change as reflected in its anti-racism statement of purpose and the 2021-2022 anti-racism task force summary report.

Founded in 1964 as the first Masters Program in Historic Preservation in the United States, the program embodies a pioneering spirit by continually questioning how the discipline actively responds to the changing social values and climate challenges associated with architectural and cultural heritage, so as to ensure that the historic built environment better serves present and future generations.

The program prepares its graduates in the theoretical and practical foundations of preservation so they can be agents of positive environmental, cultural, and social change. Students are drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds such as architecture, art history, history, urban planning, engineering, science, art, urban design, archeology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy and jurisprudence. Students bring to bear their respective interests on preservation. By focusing on historical, aesthetic, technological, environmental, social and political questions, the program cultivates deep engagement with the ideas and practices that constitute preservation, and the broad multi-disciplinary skill sets that it draws upon.

The program reflects a global outlook in its diverse faculty, alumni, visiting scholars, advanced researchers, as well as in the locales where students work. It emphasizes real-world engagement with buildings, sites and communities near campus and beyond. Through study and engaged research in New York and New Jersey, as well as countries such as Italy, Cuba, Ethiopia, France, Haiti, Mexico, Norway, and the United Kingdom students apply skills in the real world and co-create knowledge with multiple publics. Learning beyond the lab and classroom is likewise enhanced through faculty-led publications, studio reports, research, public lectures and events such as the annual Fitch Colloquium.

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Index

Jump to the sections below to learn more about the MSHP program:

People

Jorge Otero-Pailos, Program Director

Sarahgrace Godwin, Program Manager

Preservation Technology Laboratory

Jorge Otero-Pailos, Director of the MS Historic Preservation Program at Columbia GSAPP introduces the School’s newly renovated laboratory.

Visit the Preservation Technology Laboratory website.

Up next

Preservation Technology Laboratory

Up next

Advanced Technology Studio III

Up next

Preservation Technology Lab

Curriculum

Columbia’s Historic Preservation Program provides a comprehensive foundation in the discipline through place-based studios, field work, laboratory research, lectures, and seminars. The curriculum encourages students to apply theoretical concepts, critical thinking and problem-solving in real-life contexts. With core strengths in design and technology, planning and policy, and history and theory, the curriculum mirrors the disciplines preservationists must engage and collaborate with in the professional world. The course of study provides fundamental knowledge of the spectrum of the discipline, and then affords each student the opportunity to develop an area of deep focus through a one year thesis.

The centerpiece of the curriculum is a three-semester studio sequence, supported by core coursework. These interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning experiences encompass skill-building in historical, social, and technical research, data collection and visualization, community and stakeholder engagement, formal and material analyses, condition surveys, planning and policy development, interpretive and adaptive design, and the formulation of evidence-based proposals for action. Exploring questions of research and interpretation, cultural identity and values, justice and equity, sustainability and resilience, creative expression and process, these studios position the work in the field within broader societal and environmental contexts, and within broader realms of critical inquiry.

During the summer between the first and second year, the Historic Preservation Program strongly suggests the completion of one or more internships or work experiences as part of a student’s education and career development, and provides support in identifying opportunities in New York and elsewhere.

A capstone of the curriculum is a student thesis. As a critical piece of independent research, the thesis allows students to augment their course and fieldwork to further develop specialized knowledge in an aspect of the preservation enterprise. Students develop their thesis work with the support of faculty to forge new lines of inquiry and practice, as well as to engage with members of the discipline as they launch their careers.

For those students who would like to like to specialize further or expand their studies, GSAPP offers dual degrees, allowing Historic Preservation students to jointly study Architecture (MArch), Urban Planning, or Real Estate Development.

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Studio Reports

Browse the carousel to learn more about research completed through historic preservation studios, and visit the archive of digital publications from 2013 until present.

Spring 2021 HP Studio II; Critics: Erica Avrami, Morgan O’Hara

Spring 2020 HP Studio II; Critics: Erica Avrami, Tim Michiels, Bryony Roberts

Fall 2019 Joint HP/UP Advanced Studio III; Critics: Erica Avrami, William Raynolds

Spring 2019 HP Studio II; Critics: Erica Avrami, Belmont Freeman, Tim Michiels, Andrew Dolkart

Fall 2018 Advanced III HP & UP Joint Studio; Critics: Erica Avrami, Will Raynolds

Spring 2018 HP Studio II; Critics: Belmont Freeman, Bryony Roberts

Spring 2018 HP Studio II; Critic: Liz McEnaney

Fall 2017 Advanced III HP & UP Joint Studio; Critics: Erica Avrami, William Raynolds

Spring 2017 HP Studio II; Critic: Erica Avrami

Fall 2016 Advanced III HP & UP Joint Studio; Critics: Erica Avrami, William Raynolds

Spring 2016 HP Studio II; Critics: Erica Avrami, Ward Dennis, Belmont Freeman, William Raynolds

Fall 2015 Advanced III HP & UP Joint Studio; Critics: Erica Avrami, William Raynolds

Spring 2015 HP Studio II; Critics: Andrew Dolkart, Erica Avrami, Belmont Freeman

Fall 2014 Advanced III HP & UP Joint Studio; Critic: Erica Avrami

Fall 2013 Advanced Studio; Critics: Craig Konyk, Jorge Otero-Pailos

Podcast

The Historic Preservation Podcast features a series of conversations between Jorge Otero-Pailos, director of GSAPP’s Historic Preservation Program, and leaders in the field of historic preservation and heritage conservation. Subscribe to the podcast on SoundCloud.

Columbia GSAPP · Historic Preservation Podcast - Season 2

Sustainable Building Renovation in the Tropics
2019 Summer Workshop Instructors Belmont Freeman, Michael Adlerstein

Historic Preservation Showcase
2019 End of Year Show

Sustainable Building Renovation in the Tropics
2019 Summer Workshop
Instructors Belmont Freeman, Michael Adlerstein

Experimental Preservation Seminar: Scent
Instructors: Instructors: Jorge Otero-Pailos, Andreas Keller
Spring 2019
Final Review at the Intrepid Museum

Historic Preservation Showcase
2019 End of Year Show

Experimental Preservation Seminar: Scent
Instructors: Instructors: Jorge Otero-Pailos, Andreas Keller
Spring 2019
Final Review at the Intrepid Museum

Experimental Preservation Seminar
Instructors: Jorge Otero-Pailos, Andreas Keller
Spring 2017
Visit to Morgan Library with Master Perfumer Carlos Benaim (IFF) and Curator Christine Nelson

Experimental Preservation Seminar
Instructors: Jorge Otero-Pailos, Andreas Keller
Spring 2017
Smell collecting equipment above Golden Legend (1521), Morgan Library

Experimental Preservation Seminar
Instructors: Jorge Otero-Pailos, Andreas Keller
Spring 2017
Morgan Library Conservator Maria Fredericks discusses materials and adhesives in historic books

Faculty Adam Lowe and Carlos Bayod use Lucida to 3D scan surface of 14th century panel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Advanced Technology Studio III
Instructors: Adam Lowe and Carlos Bayod
Scanning of San Baudelio de Berlanga, Spain

Advanced Technology Studio III
Instructors: Adam Lowe and Carlos Bayod
Scanning of San Baudelio de Berlanga, Met Cloisters, NY

First-year Historic Preservation Field Trip to Ellis Island

First-year Historic Preservation students start work on Ellis Island’s ruined hospital, a U.S. National Monument

Microscopy Workshop at the Highbridge Laboratory Facility

Historic Preservation students make molds in the Conservation Lab

Concrete, Cast Stone, and Mortar Class with John Walsh

Students visit the Museum of Modern Art Conservation Laboratory

John Walsh working with GSAPP Interns on Frank Lloyd Wright blocks at MoMA Conservation Lab

Historic Preservation Alumni event, New York

3D point cloud model of Avery Hall, outcome from 3D scanning and photogrammetry workshop led by Mario Santana Quintero

Michael Adlerstein takes the joint Architecture/Preservation studio to the United Nations in NY

Experimental Preservation Seminar: Scent
Instructors: Instructors: Jorge Otero-Pailos, Andreas Keller
Spring 2019
Final Review at the Intrepid Museum

Current Faculty

Fall 2024 Courses

Course	Semester	Title	Instructor	Requirements & Sequence	Location & Time	Session & Points	Call No.
A4080‑1	Fall 2024	HP Elective Internship	Sarahgrace Godwin	HP Elective	NA NA	FULL SEMESTER 1.5 Points	10599
A4510‑1	Fall 2024	Studio 1-Historic Preservation Studio	Andrew Dolkart, Kate Reggev	HP Studio HP Required	301 FAYERWEATHER , 200 BUELL TU 2 PM - 6 PM + F 9AM-1PM	FULL SEMESTER 6 Points	10601
A6305‑1	Fall 2024	Advanced Studio III-Joint Historic Preservation/Architecture Studio	Jorge Otero-Pailos, Mark Rakatansky	HP Studio HP Elective	TBD M 1:30- 6:30 PM	FULL SEMESTER 6 Points	10602
A6730	Fall 2024	Traditional American Architecture	Andrew Dolkart	REQUIRED HPI, H/T POST 1800 NW HP Required	209 FAYERWEATHER TU 11 AM - 1 PM	3 Points	10600
A6740‑1	Fall 2024	Historic Preservation Theory & Practice	Jorge Otero-Pailos	HP Required	Preservation Technology Lab W 2PM-5PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10605
A6790‑1	Fall 2024	Thesis I	Paul Bentel, Sarah Sher	HP Required	200 BUELL W 9 AM - 11 AM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10609
A6856‑1	Fall 2024	Master Class		HP Elective	Preservation Technology Lab M/ TU/ TH 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM	SES A (9/23, 9/24, 9/26, 9/30, 10/1, 10/3)	10613
A6921‑1	Fall 2024	Machine Learning	Bilge Kose, Kivanc Kose	HP Elective	Preservation Technology Lab W 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM	SES B 1.5 Points	10610
A6937‑1	Fall 2024	Visualization Techniques for Arch Preservation	André Jauregui, Halley Ramos	HP Elective	Preservation Technology Lab W 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM	SES A 1.5 Points	10612
A6510‑1	Fall 2024	Neighborhood Preservation and Zoning	Carol Clark	HP Elective	WARE LOUNGE - 600 AVERY HALL TU 11AM- 1PM	SES B 1.5 Points	10603
A6767‑1	Fall 2024	Preservation Planning and Policy	Erica Avrami	HP Required	412 AVERY TH 1 PM- 3 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10606
Pla6909‑1	Fall 2024	Advanced Studio III - Joint Historic Preservation/Urban Planning Studio	Erica Avrami, Shreya Ghoshal	HP Studio HP Elective Community & Economic Development	TBD TBD	FULL SEMESTER 6 Points	10614
A6768‑1	Fall 2024	Conservation of Architectural Metals	Richard Pieper	HP Elective Building Science & Technology Elective	Preservation Technology Lab M 10 AM- 1 PM	SES A 1.5 Points	10607
A6784‑1	Fall 2024	Conservation of Brick + Terra Cotta & Stone	Norman Weiss, Daniel Allen	HP Elective Building Science & Technology Elective	Preservation Technology Lab M 10 AM- 1 PM	SES B 1.5 Points	10608
A6934‑1	Fall 2024	Traditional Building Technology	Tim Michiels	HP Required	Preservation Technology Lab TH 9:00 - 11:30 AM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10611
A6886‑1	Fall 2024	Building the Engine: Industry + the African Urban Agenda	Fatou Dieye	Building Science & Technology Elective Real Estate Elective HP Elective International	505 Avery TU 9 AM - 1 PM ( First class: F 1:30pm)	SES A 3 Points	14032
A6965‑1	Fall 2024	ADV V STUDIO – CLINIC	Bryony Roberts		TH 2 PM - 5 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10536
A4892‑1	Fall 2024	Data Visualization for Architecture, Urbanism and the Humanities	Jia Zhang	Visual Studies Computation	409 AVERY F 9 AM - 11 AM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10576
A4047‑1	Fall 2024	Immeasurable Sites	Emanuel Admassu	Urban Design Seminar Real Estate Elective HP Elective Architecture Elective UP Elective Urban Design Elective	408 AVERY W 11 AM - 1 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10596
A6830‑1	Fall 2024	Difference and Design	Justin Moore	Urban Design Seminar	412 AVERY / ONLINE TU 3 PM - 5 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	14028
A6927‑1	Fall 2024	Science + Technology Studies	Albena Yaneva	Design Seminar	412 AVERY M 11 AM - 1PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10533
A6929‑1	Fall 2024	The Reimagining of Lower Manhattan Post-Sandy	Michael Kimmelman		408 AVERY W 9 AM - 11 AM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10534
Pla4444‑1	Fall 2024	The Future City: Transforming Urban Infrastructure	Kate Ascher		209 FAYERWEATHER TU 1 PM - 3 PM	3 Points	14136
A6814‑1	Fall 2024	New Towns After Smart Cities	David Smiley	History & Theory Urban Design Seminar Urban Post-1800 N/W	412 AVERY TU 1 PM - 3 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	14029
Pla6272‑1	Fall 2024	New York Rising: How Real Estate Shapes a City	Kate Ascher	Real Estate Elective HP Elective UP Elective New York/Paris Required	114 AVERY F 11 AM - 1 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	10530
ARCHA6966‑1	Fall 2024	Le Corbusier Beyond Europe	Mary McLeod	History & Theory Post-1800 N/W S/E	409 Avery TU 11 AM - 1 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	18002
ARCHA6967‑1	Fall 2024	Cities of Knowledge: Orientalizing Manhattan	Ziad Jamaleddine	Post-1800 S/E History & Theory	934 SCHERMERHORN TU 2:10 PM - 4 PM	FULL SEMESTER 3 Points	18102

See all

Oct 11

Faculty Jorge Otero-Pailos and team awarded the prestigious Oslo City Architecture Prize for their preservation of Eero Saarinen's former US Embassy in Norway

Oct 9

Professor Andrew Dolkart will be honored as the inaugural awardee of the Mumford Award by Landmarks West

Oct 4

Faculty Erica Avrami speaks at Georgetown Law Conference: the U.S. Climate Heritage Policy in the International Context

Sep 10

Faculty Jorge Otero-Pailos and team win DoCoMoMo US Design Excellence Award for restoring the US Embassy in Oslo

Aug 6

Carly Bond ‘06 MSHP ‘06 appointed Associate Director for Architectural History and Historic Preservation, Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Planning, Design, and Construction

Aug 1