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Friday, 14 April 2006 | Levent OZLER
The Chicago 2006 Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference Attendance Up
30% Over Last Year
Today Restore Media, LLC announced the results of their 2006 Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference held in Chicago, Illinois, April 5-9 at the historic Navy Pier. The event attracted its biggest crowd since it was held in Boston 2002 and beat attendance numbers for a previous appearance in Chicago 2003 by 26%; a four-year record.
Over 4000 architects, builders, renovators, tradesmen, craftsmen, building owners, facilities managers, interior designers, and historic house enthusiasts were in attendance. Over 85 seminars, workshops and tours were filled to capacity; many standing room only. The exhibit floor featured 160 suppliers who presented slate roofs, stone, period hardware and lighting, kitchen cabinets, window, doors and more. Live demonstrations, including the First-Annual Design Challenge and a 18th century timber frame barn restoration, were popular destinations on the show floor.
Full conference attendees earned as many as 20 continuing education credits during the four-day event, a year's worth of required learning for AIA and other affiliated professional organizations. Seminar and workshop topics ranged from window restoration to paint stripping; historic restoration, renovation and period inspired new construction. All the professional disciplines in the traditional building industry were present; preservationists and new urbanists alike engaged on topics common to all. A keynote session featuring a discussion between architecture professors Paul Byard and Steve Semes each with a different point of view about additions to historic buildings attracted over 300 people.
This year's Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference launched many exciting initiatives, including two new co-locations. The American Institute of Architects Historic Resources Committee and the Association of Preservation Technology each held their annual spring meetings at the show, which contributed to the quality and quantity of attendance.
The First-Annual Traditional Building Design Challenge proved to be another welcome addition to the show. Eight designers from around the country worked at their drafting tables for three days to hand draw a New Old House which would "fit" in the historic Oak Park neighborhood west of Chicago. On Saturday afternoon these designers presented their drawings: floor plans and elevations to an audience of over 100, including the design competition judges; Nancy Berry, Editor, New Old House; Gary Schwab, board member, Historical Society of Oak Park & River Forest; and Christine G. H. Frank, Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America. Steve Mickley, Executive Director of the American Institute of Building Design, presided over the event.
First Place was awarded to Jonathan Miller, Jonathan Miller Architects, Knoxville TN; Second Place to Leonard Baum, Leonard J. Baum Architect, Providence, RI; and Third Place (tie) was awarded to W.A "Bud" Lawrence, Morales Keesee Design Associates, Apopka, FL and Wayne Visbeen, Visbeen Associates, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI. Look for these winning projects in the Fall and Winter issues of New Old House.
"You can research historic products on the internet but to make a buying decision, you've got to see it, discuss it and understand it." That's how the exhibit floor experience was explained by one architect. The suppliers represented on the Traditional Building Show Floor are high-end specialty product experts who consult on everything from the comparative attributes of materials, to their historical accuracy to proper application. Exhibitors were joined by Chicago's "Mr. Fix It," Lou Manfredini who answered questions about historic home maintenance.
Again this spring, the 2006 Palladio Awards were presented for achievement in traditional design at The Drake Hotel, in conjunction with the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference. The fifth-annual awards competition recognized ten architectural firms for outstanding commercial, institutional and residential projects.
Recipients of the 2006 Palladio Awards for commercial and institutional projects were:
-- Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering, of Albany, NY, for the renovation and restoration of the Washington State Legislative Building in Olympia, WA
-- Architexas, of Dallas, TX, for the tower additions to the Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe in Dallas, TX
-- Chael, Cooper & Associates, of Coral Gables, FL, for the design of the new McKean Gateway and Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Building at Rollins College, in Winter Park, FL
-- The National Monuments Foundation, of Atlanta, GA, for the Millennium Gate in Atlanta
Recipients of the 2006 Palladio Awards for residential projects were:
-- Isthmus Architecture, of Madison, WI, for the renovation and restoration of the Hedberg residence in Madison
-- Peter Zimmerman Architects, of Berwyn, PA, for an addition to a residence in Willistown, PA
-- Historical Concepts, of Peachtree City, GA, for the design of a new cottage in Spring Island, SC
-- David Jones Architects, of Washington, DC, for the design of a new residence in Chevy Chase, MD
-- Hartman-Cox Architects, of Washington, DC, for an addition to and the renovation of the Kennedy-Warren apartment building in Washington, DC
A special award was also given to Urban Design Associates, of Pittsburgh, PA, for "A Pattern Book for Norfolk Neighborhoods." Winning Palladio projects will also be featured in the June issue of Traditional Building (non residential) and July Period Homes (residential).
The next event will be held in Washington, DC, October 5-7, 2006 at the Washington Hilton Hotel and Towers. For more information on education or exhibits, please visit our website: http://www.traditionalbuildingshow.com call 800-982-6247; fax 202-339-0749; or email info  restoremedia.com
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