Connecting Neighborhoods and Future-Proofing in Austin, TX
Connecting Neighborhoods and Future-Proofing in Austin, TX

APRIL 7, 2025

The presentation from a community process that took place in March 2025 focused on producing some new strategies for an area of Austin that is part of a conversation about the future of the I-35 corridor.

Octagon House: D.C.’s First & Most Haunted House | DomoNaut
Octagon House: D.C.’s First & Most Haunted House | DomoNaut

APRIL 1, 2025

DomoNaut is a channel dedicated to documenting architectural history through home and museum tours. Explore the rich stories behind historic towns and houses, from Federal mansions to mid-century modern masterpieces, and dive into detailed architectural walkthroughs of historic properties. Whether you're passionate about house restoration, architectural details, or simply love exploring old homes, DomoNaut takes you on a cinematic journey through the fascinating world of architecture. Subscribe for insightful home history tours and behind-the-scenes looks at American architectural heritage.

Retreating the Treaty Box: Dealing with Deteriorated Materials and Aged Acrylic Consolidant in an Historic Document Box
Retreating the Treaty Box: Dealing with Deteriorated Materials and Aged Acrylic Consolidant in an Historic Document Box

APRIL 1, 2025

The Ghent Treaty box is a small document box that was made in 1814 to carry the treaty that ended the War of 1812 between Britain and America. The wooden box is covered with leather and decorated with brass nails. Many of the original materials had become badly damaged and required conservation treatment in 1973. This early treatment had many positive results, but has subsequently contributed to the continuing physical and aesthetic problems associated with the box. The Ghent Treaty box was recently conserved at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to stabilize the materials and improve its appearance in preparation for display at the Octagon. This paper outlines the history of the box, the effects of the previous treatment and details the materials and techniques used at Colonial Williamsburg to re-treat the Ghent Treaty box.

A Sailor Returns Home: The Story of John Tayloe IV
A Sailor Returns Home: The Story of John Tayloe IV

APRIL 1, 2025

The following story resulted from a painting of a young naval officer who served aboard the USS Constitution during the War of 1812. Reflecting on a portrait of his 3rd great-Grandfather, John Tayloe IV, author Samuel McDonough recalls his ancestor's service during the War of 1812 and other notable historic events that surrounded his life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While doing the research for a previous book, “Our Founding Fathers Homes and Churches in Virginia”, McDonough discovered several documents relating to the Tayloe families activities in running multiple large plantations, iron works factories, ship building plants, horseracing, and many served in the colonial government. This is a story of a Tayloe who lived a rather short, yet eventful life during our nation’s infancy.

AIA Resources for Students
AIA Resources for Students

JANUARY 9, 2025

Explore AIA resources to help you succeed in every aspect of architecture and design, including climate action, equity, firm management, business acumen, and best practices.

Connecting Freetown: People, Neighborhoods, Economy, & History
Connecting Freetown: People, Neighborhoods, Economy, & History

JULY 17, 2024

Freetown, Sierra Leone, is building a richer, more sustainable, and resilient city - empowering people and strengthening their neighborhoods, economy, and connections to their history. This report explores how a cable car mass transit system can connect the community and the people, neighborhoods, economy, and history. While the construction of the cable car system will take years, this foundational work can begin today and would be highly effective even if the cable car system is delayed.

Imagine Monteagle
Imagine Monteagle

JULY 17, 2024

Monteagle is located on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee and boasts a fascinating history. Founded in the mid-19th century by John Moffat, Monteagle has been a draw for those who want to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding area. Over the past six decades, Monteagle’s downtown has dwindled with many buildings being lost to fire and vacant lots remaining empty. Despite this, Monteagle townsfolk remain determined to find a way to rebuild their Main Street and restore their downtown’s special character, as both a hub for regional tourism, and a great place to live and shop for its residents and visitors alike.

Homes for Us!
Homes for Us!

JULY 17, 2024

The Windham Regional Commission heard from numerous towns within its region that the affordability of housing to residents and workers earning Vermont wages is one of the biggest challenges to their livability, quality of life, and the economy. The Center for Resilient Metro Regions, in partnership with the Communities by Design program at the Architects Foundation, conducted a three-day charrette, or intense design process, with community participation, to identify those potential housing opportunities which can be adopted at a town-by-town scale and at a regional scale.