FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2010
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier,
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
409-765-7834,
Molly.Dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Austin Architect Susan Welker to Lecture March 3 on Modern “Green Building” Techniques in Historic Restoration

Free Talk a Part of GHF’s Green Revival Program

Galveston Historical Foundation and the Galveston Branch of the United States Green Building Council-Texas Gulf Coast Chapter are partnering to present a lecture by Susan Welker, AIA, of Harris Welker Architects in Austin on sustainable rehabilitation projects for existing residential buildings. The lecture will take place in the Courtroom of the 1861 U.S. Custom House at 6 p.m. on Wednesday March 3. The presentation is the culmination of GHF’s winter round of Green Training Sessions.

For a press-ready, downloadable version, please double-click on the photograph.

Welker will discuss her work in sustainable architecture, including some of her firm’s projects in Austin, with a focus on the aspects of energy-efficient design that are best-suited for the rehabilitation of existing homes.

“Susan offers a perspective from one of the most progressive green building communities in the country,” said Dwayne Jones, GHF executive director. “We are excited to learn from her experience.”

Welker is a principal at Harris Welker Associates. She is a registered architect, a registered interior designer, a master planner, a non-profit board member, a community volunteer and a former art teacher. Her professional projects emphasize creative, cost-effective design solutions that are positive to the environment, and that reduce energy and prevent harmful material exposure.

The presentation is part of GHF’s Green Revival program, organized through the Partners in the Field program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The capstone of the Green Revival program will be GHF’s restoration of a 1,000-square-foot shotgun house. In partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the 1772 Foundation, GHF's Green Revival Showhouse will demonstrate how the energy efficient properties inherent in historic design and original fabric can work in tandem with sensitively planned modern systems to conserve resources as well as heritage. Once finished, the house will be open to the public to showcase Galveston’s signature interpretation of the new nationwide green historic preservation movement.

The finished building will meet the highest standard of the United States Green Building Council’s LEED program while maintaining the historic character of the 110-year-old house.

The house will be included on the 36th annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour in May and will remain open to the public over the summer so people can see for themselves how to renovate a historic house and learn the best ways to save energy and increase sustainability in their own homes

Welker’s talk at the U.S. Custom House will be copiously illustrated, free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Matthew Pelz at (409) 765-7834, or www.galvestonhistory.org.