The San Antonio Conservation Society is soliciting nominations of individuals or groups that have completed a residential or non-residential restoration project between Nov. 13, 2012, and Nov. 13, 2015 for the organization’s Historic Preservation Awards.
Nominations can be made at the Conservation Society’s website until Friday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m.
The Historic Preservation Awards program aims to recognize individuals who have surpassed expectations in historic preservation in an effort to educate the public about the history of the city and state. The nominations can range from small bungalows to downtown buildings and should recognize the historic building’s original design intent.
The Conservation Society awards up to ten groups or individuals for the biennial contest. One award is set aside for an out-of-town applicant.
“Our purpose is to preserve and encourage preservation throughout the City and throughout the State,” said Conservation Society President Janet Dietel. “We are looking for the best work that has been done within the city and the surrounding areas.”
The Conservation Society follows the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Restoration and Rehabilitation during the selection process, a standard advisory guideline that organizations across the country choose to use for various purposes.
“I think that (the awards) are very important because when people take care of the built environment they preserve not only buildings but culture,” Dietel said.
The Conservation Society asks qualified architects in Texas to meet in San Antonio, review the applications, tour the sites, and select the winners.
“It’s a neat process to watch and be part of,” Dietel said.
To qualify, the projects must meet the following requirements:
- The project must have been completed within three years prior to the nomination submission (Nov. 13, 2012 – Nov. 13, 2015).
- Recognition and respect for the original design intent of the project and for the period to which it is restored should be considered.
- Adherence to a preservation philosophy is important. New additions or alterations to the building, structure, site or object should have been done in a manner that if additions or alterations were removed in the future, the essential form and integrity would not be impaired.
- Where alterations or additions to the building are of contemporary design, the work must respect the original historical, architectural and cultural qualities.
- The project should retain the distinguishing qualities and character of the original construction.
The Historic Preservation Awards date back to 1948, although the process and name were different at that time.
*Top image: The Kress Building at 311 East Houston Street. Photo by Scott Ball.
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