Historic Preservation

Christoph Lindner shares his views on research, international study, and teaching

Christoph Lindner, professor of media and culture at the University of Amsterdam, will join UO as the new A&AA dean beginning August 15. With a CV that includes research in globalization, sustainability, and creative practice, Lindner brings a unique roster of qualifications and perspective to lead A&AA. We caught up with him recently to ask a few questions via e-mail about how he envisions A&AA’s future.

New Dean Selected for the School of Architecture and Allied Arts

Christoph LindnerScott Coltrane, provost and senior vice president, announced today that the next dean of the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts is Christoph Lindner. He will be moving to Eugene from the Netherlands, where he is professor of media and culture at the University of Amsterdam.

McMath Award recognizes Sally Donovan for exemplary cultural resources work, HABS/HAER photography

Sally Donovan literally lives and breathes historic preservation, living in a 1913 house and using its “updated” 1931 refrigerator and electric stove every day for the past twenty years. And not long ago she finished, with her two partners and husband, first moving then rehabilitating an 1889 house destined for demolition, handling tasks from removing shingles to replastering and painting, along with the reams of paperwork required to buy the house (for $1) and arrange for its move (a lot more than $1).

Historic benches find new life at A&AA

Few people think about trees having careers, but UO Arborist John Anthony does. So when UO Campus Tree #285 started looking ill in 2008, Anthony kept his eye on it. It was starting to lean, the color of its foliage wasn’t good, and on close inspection Anthony discovered its top was dying. On a campus where thousands of people walk beneath trees daily, a dying tree is a dangerous tree.

Nominations for 2016 McMath Preservation Award open through Nov. 16

Applications are available through Monday, November 16, to nominate an individual, organization, company, or agency for the George McMath Historic Preservation Award.

The University of Oregon presents the award annually for exceptional and commendable work in historic preservation, in particular for development of new ideas, approaches, and innovations. The McMath Award is intended to raise public awareness of historic preservation education and promote excellence in preservation practice.

Sustainable Cities kicks off 2015 year

The 2015-16 Sustainable Cities Year Program (SCYP) with the City of Redmond officially kicked off with a gala celebration at the UO’s Ford Alumni Center October 1. During the yearlong partnership between UO and Redmond, hundreds of students and faculty members will pour 50,000 hours of work into applied projects with sustainability-focused solutions. 

Lawrence medalist Dubrow at UO June 15

The Lawrence Medal will be presented to Gail Dubrow at the A&AA commencement ceremony on Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m. on the south lawn of the Knight Library (near the School of Music and Dance). Reservations are not required.

Gail DubrowDubrow, PhD, (BArch ’80, BA ’76, MA ’79) is an accomplished scholar, educator, and social historian of the built environment and cultural landscapes.

National Park Service career ideal fit for preservation alumna

The impetus for Sueann Brown to enroll in the UO’s Historic Preservation Program came in large part from attending the UO’s preservation field school in Italy. “That month in Oira … changed my life,” says Brown, now the lead historical architect for the National Park Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. “Obviously they taught me a lot about historic structures and cultural landscapes, but for me the most important lesson that summer was the example … provided of how we should live our lives—spending time doing things we are passionate about.