Shawn Evans, former co-chair of AIA Philadelphia's Historic Preservation Committee moved to New Mexico in 2012 to build the western preservation practice of Atkin OlshinSchade Architects. Shawn will present the award-winningOwe'neh Bupingeh Preservation Project at Ohkay Owingehand the findings of his fellowship with the James Marston Fitch Foundation.
The Owe'neh Bupingeh project involved a comprehensive preservation plan for the 800-year old historic core of the Pueblo and rehabilitation of 34 of the adobe homes have been completed. Shawn's Fitch Fellowship involved consultations with 16 other Pueblos to understand their varying worldviews on historic preservation. Some Pueblos are renowned for resistance to change, while other view preservation with skepticism. What most tribes seek is revitalization, not preservation as defined by the federal government. Most seek to extend the palpability of the past, but many are just as interested in meeting the needs of modern life in these ancient places. Using the Traditional Cultural Places approach outlined in National Register Bulletin 38, the presentation will explore the relevance of the preservation of southwestern Pueblos to Philadelphia's urban ethnic enclaves.
Feel free to bring your lunch.