The Washington, DC Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology is pleased to announce its Fall 2025 Symposium. This year's theme is Unforeseen Conditions.
Adaptability is key to the success of projects involving rehabilitation of historic sites, as Unforeseen Conditions have the ability to derail even the most carefully laid plans. These unforeseen conditions can take a variety of forms, such as concealed conditions or features, or unknown previous alterations. They can also take the form of newly discovered treasures including previously unknown historical documentation found in an archive or buried and long forgotten historical artifacts.
The methods for handling these unforeseen conditions are as varied as the conditions themselves, often requiring unique and creative solutions. This symposium will focus on unique challenges with unforeseen conditions including:
- What was the discovered unforeseen condition and in what context was it found?
- How was the unforeseen condition investigated?
- How did the unforeseen condition affect the progress or direction of the project?
- What creative solutions were developed to handle the unforeseen condition?
- How will this experience inform planning for a similar unforeseen condition in the future?
The presentations include:
- Case studies of preservation projects with significant unforeseen conditions.
- Application of new or novel technologies and techniques in the handling of unforeseen conditions.
- Compelling lessons learned and recommendations.
The symposium will include eight (8) paper presentations, a walking tour, and an optional happy hour.
Registration will open on August 5, 2025.
Agenda:
| 8:30AM – 9:00AM |
Breakfast and Registration |
| 9:00AM – 9:10AM |
Welcome Remarks
Zachary Burt (APT DC President), Kevin Wohlgemuth (APT DC Symposium Committee Chair) |
| 9:15AM – 10:00AM |
Keynote Address: Title TBD
Greg Galer (Executive Director APTI), introduction by Taryn Williams (former APTI President) |
| 10:05AM – 10:50AM |
A Visible Vault: Floored by Historic Structures
Nancy Bateman (National Building Museum), Nicholas Sowatzke (TYLin) |
| 10:55AM – 11:25AM |
Conditions Change in a Flash: Failing Lead Flashing at Davidge Hall
Hanna St. Onge (The Christman Company) |
| 11:30AM – 12:00PM |
Uncovering History — Re-Use and Redevelopment in Washington, DC
James Ballard (GBG Group) |
| 12:00PM – 1:00PM |
Lunch |
| 1:00PM – 1:30PM |
Into the Thicket: Using GNSS and Airborne LiDAR to Map Overgrown Bench Terraces at the Saunders Farm
Chris Robey (National Park Service) |
| 1:35PM – 2:05PM |
Criteria for Evaluation, Treatment, and Replacement of Terra Cotta Masonry
Charu Chaudhry (Thornton Tomasetti) |
| 2:10PM – 2:40PM |
So, you bought an old house? The Top 10 things your structural engineer wants you to know.
Michael Zajac (SGH) |
| 2:40PM – 2:55PM |
Afternoon Break |
| 2:55PM – 3:25PM |
Lurking Leaks: The Impacts of Unforeseen Water Intrusion at UCLA's Powell Library
John D. Lesak, Sarah E. Brummett (Page & Turnbull) |
| 3:30PM – 4:00PM |
"The Forms of Things Unknown": Transferring the North Wall of the Folger Shakespeare Library
Grace Meloy (TYLin) |
| 4:00PM – 4:05PM |
Closing Remarks
Kevin Wohlgemuth (APT DC Symposium Committee Chair)
|
| 4:15PM – 6:00PM |
Walking Tours (including travel):
- Howard University Campus + Myrtilla Miner Building
- Grimke School + African American Civil War Memorial Museum |
| 6:00PM – 7:30PM |
Happy Hour (optional)
Right Proper Brewing Company |
This year's symposium is available for in-person and virtual attendees.
Registration includes full breakfast and lunch, AIA CEUs, APT DC swag, and a walking tour. A separate happy hour ticket includes drinks and light snacks following the symposium program. Please join us for both!
| APT DC Member |
$125 |
| Non-Member |
$150 |
Current/Recent Federal Employee
(in-person or virtual) |
$75 |
| Virtual Only |
$75 |
| Student |
$25 |
| Happy Hour (optional ticket) |
$10 |
Continuing Education: 6.0 LU/HSW AIA CEU credits are approved (5.0 for the presentation sessions and 1.0 for the walking tour).
Volunteer Cleaning Day at Oak Hill Cemetery (9/6): Join APT DC on Saturday, September 6, for a volunteer cleaning event at Oak Hill Cemetery. 4.0 LU/HSW AIA CEUs are approved. More information to come.
Please contact symposium@aptdc.org if you have any questions.
