Center for the Preservation of Modernism

Home to acres of nostalgia, Jefferson understands the importance of preserving early and mid-century modern architecture. For example, the campus is home to the Hassrick House, a significant design by Richard Neutra, an Austrian-American architect who came to be celebrated as one of the most prominent modern architects. The site serves as a case study for historic preservation students.

“As pervasive presences in our cities, these monuments to ‘Machine Age’ optimism provide abundant opportunities for repurposing as a critical defense against climate change. Our students advocate for modernism through documentation, research, publications and adaptive reuse designs that re-envision our modern legacy as intrinsic to the sustainable cities of the future.”

Upon analysis, they learn to understand the importance of condition assessment, material restoration, structural stabilization and curtain-wall facade retrofitting, while embodying distinctive social, cultural and historical significance. Here, research is focused on addressing the protection and conservation of aging structures that need it the most, nationally and internationally.

It also serves as a meeting ground for the larger preservation community, hosting lectures and symposia that address emerging, pressing issues facing modern structures and sites.