Many thanks to Dave Boux and Brad Bruce and APT-Central Plains for the fabulous tour of the Plasterkraft & Mural Masters workshop. Dave and Brad dazzled us with their artistry, craftsmanship, and wit while demonstrating...
There was a time when you could buy anything from a catalog, even a house. You may be familiar with Sears' kit houses, but did you know Topeka, Kansas had their very own mail-order catalog...
There is an adage in the historic preservation world that poverty is a great preserver. This is a corollary to “do no harm.” A recent trip to Cuba brought these sayings to mind. Limited access...
We love that the cast iron boiler front was reinstalled in the entry foyer as part of the Roaster's Block apartment conversion. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese concept that celebrates authenticity and finds beauty in the patina...
Why do we love what we do? One thing we hear over and over is that "they don't build them like they used to" and "you can't beat the character of an old building." Or, to...
Every National Register nomination teaches us something new – about architecture, events, communities, people and our shared history. Kemper Arena was no exception. It is a very specific type of building constructed at a distinct...
The IMPACT of state tax credits in Oklahoma Last month the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture released an economic impact study of the Oklahoma historic tax credit prepared by PlaceEconomics. The study documented the overwhelming fiscal impact...
Lessons from Baseball As the 2016 baseball season gets underway, Kansas City is still basking in the after-glow of the Royals 2015 World Series victory. Waiting 30 years will do that to a community. We at...
As we look back over the past decade, we have learned many lessons, although several come up with enough regularity that they seem worth sharing. ER Concerted efforts to preserve historic resources really can transform a community....