“Solar energy for historic buildings,” April 2022
Distributed solar energy can leverage thousands of acres of American rooftops to power life beneath them, but not every building is well-suited to solar panels. It is essential to understand the evolving best practices for solar energy in historic districts and on projects seeking historic tax credits.
“Historic home embraces comfort and clean energy without sacrificing charm,” April 2021
The home of architect Z Smith showcases the seamless coexistence of historic character — the original shotgun-style structure was built in 1880 — with modern convenience. Using that example, this article examines cost-effective energy performance measures that can improve the comfort and performance of older wooden houses.
“The history and politics behind Pontchartrain Park,” 2019
Written for a museum-style exhibit that was developed in conjunction with a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, this text details the origin story of a midcentury suburb purpose-built for African Americans in the waning years of segregation and the many luminaries that grew up in the ranch-style homes.
“Egyptian Revival Architecture in New Orleans," Feb. 2015
This exploration of an rarer style that co-existed with the Greek- and Gothic Revival styles looks at the popularization of Egyptian motifs and massing, their strong associations with cemetery designs, and their surprising use in ecclesiastical works. Some of the cities most famed architects, including Dakin and de Pouilly, worked in the style.