CELEBRATING PRESERVATION MONTH: PEOPLE SAVING PLACES

Daniela Voith co-founded VMA with a focus on the sensitive adaptation of historic buildings as well as the construction of new traditional architecture. She served for four years on the Architectural Advisory Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and worked with the transition team for Philadelphia Mayor John Nutter’s administration on a Historical Commission whitepaper. In 2008, she was presented with the Public Service Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

Robert Douglass shares John’s passion for the intersection of preservation and sustainability. Although not a preservation specialist by training, he has managed complex adaptive reuse projects like the conversion of a historic gymnasium into a vibrant student center that sought to work with, not against, the existing building fabric. Rob currently serves on the Board of the Thomas Jefferson University Center for the Preservation of Modernism, a relatively recent addition to the university that will focus on preserving post-war architectural heritage and building materials like concrete and contemporary glazing.

Robert Duke recently joined the Historic Review Board of New Castle County, Delaware. He managed the planning and design of phased improvements to the historic campus of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, winner of a 2023 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Rob also helped to organize a workshop with Partners for Sacred Places where he presented best practices for congregations stewarding historic buildings.

Kevin King, Jr. was intimately involved in documenting and analyzing Richard Neutra’s iconic Hassrick House during his college years following the acquisition of the house by Thomas Jefferson University in 2017. He remains engaged with Jefferson’s College of Architecture as a studio critic and as a member of their DEI Committee. Kevin served as Steering Committee member and then Co-Chair of the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and today serves as a member of the Preservation Alliance’s Board of Directors.

Mónica Ortiz-Cortés was a member of documentation teams that won third place in the 2017 Charles E. Peterson Prize and first place in the 2016 Holland B. Leicester Prize, both administered by the Library of Congress’s Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) program. She was also awarded a Mildred Colodny Diversity Scholarship from the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Mónica currently volunteers with the Royal Institute of British Architects – USA chapter (RIBA-USA) and recently coordinated a joint event with RIBA-USA and the AIA Philadelphia Historic Preservation Committee that compared British and American approaches to heritage conservation.

Matthew McCarty brings academic credentials and working experience in both historic preservation and interior design, perfect for projects like the renovation of historic Vail Hall at Lincoln University where he has developed an interiors palette that strengthens its existing architectural character and feels appropriate to its program of high-level administrative functions. He currently serves on the Board for the American Association of Interior Designers Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Meaghan Finney has been co-chair of the AIA Philadelphia Historic Preservation Committee for over six years and recently joined the APT Outreach Committee. She is also a former Steering Committee member and Co-Chair of the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance. Last year, she co-authored an article on the benefits of prioritizing the reuse of historic buildings in comprehensive campus plans in Planning for Higher Education, a journal published by the Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) and continues working to bring preservation into dialogue around campus planning.

Adam Hoover is a member of the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance. He is also an Alumni Service Volunteer for Jefferson University, his alma mater, and volunteers with Friends of the Wissahickon and with the Fishtown Neighbors Association.

Maggie Holsinger, from our New York Office, recently began volunteering with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. She also donates her time to the AIA New York/Center for Architecture K-12 education programs, New York Cares, New York Road Runners, and the Prospect Park Alliance.