Never Say Never
The more I’m involved with historic buildings, the more they intrigue and challenge me. Someone once told me that one word you shouldn’t use regarding historic buildings is never. If you assume that something was never done this way or that way, you’re likely to be wrong; there are always exceptions to the rules.
It’s these exceptions that we have to constantly look for and understand. Each building is unique, so your solution has to be based on it alone. In our business, it’s about really getting to know the building using a hands-on approach — picking and peeling away layers, figuratively and literally.
The aspect of working at QEA for which I am most grateful is the quality of the buildings that we are selected to work on. When I reflect back on my career, and consider the scores of National Historic Landmarks on which I have worked, I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything.
Baird Smith, FAIA, FAPT is Director of Preservation and a Principal in the Washington, DC office of Quinn Evans Architects. For over 35 years, he has specialized in historic preservation and conservation technologies, building a national reputation as an expert in the field.
