THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION ANNOUNCES THE NEW ROBERT SILMAN FELLOW FOR PRESERVATION ENGINEERING
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2006) - The National Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that John Dumsick, a recent graduate from the Savannah College of Art & Design, has been selected as the new Robert Silman Fellow for Preservation Engineering.
Named in honor of Robert Silman the Silman Fellowship offers an exciting opportunity to a recent graduate with a Master of Science in Structural Engineering.
"This fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to be an active participant at the forefront of historic preservation and to develop long-term relationships with some of the nation's most prominent preservationists," said William Dupont, of the National Trust. "At the conclusion of the obligations, the Robert Silman Fellow will be uniquely qualified to make immediate and lasting contributions to the field of historic preservation."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff--six regional offices and 25 historic sites work with the Trust's 200,000 members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the Trust's web site at www.nationaltrust.org.
RECENT AWARDS
Anton Tedesco Medal
As a leader in the field of sustainable design for the past 25 years, Robert Silman has established a legacy of work that his firm is committed to continue. This legacy includes the teaching of sustainable concepts at universities and the promotion of green design through journal articles and conference papers.
In recognition of his dedication to excellence in structural engineering and his role as a mentor for young engineers he has been awarded the prestigious Anton Tedesco Medal for 2004 from the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineers (IABSE). This award was presented at the Opening Session of the IABSE Symposium in Lisbon, Portugal on September 14, 2005.
Frank Lloyd Wright Spirit Award
“On behalf of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, I am delighted to congratulate Robert Silman Associates on being selected as the 2005 recipient of the Wright Spirit Award in the Professional Category. This award honors a firm, which through artistic, architectural, scholarly, professional or other endeavors, embodies the Spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright. In recognition of your expertise and determination in finding creative engineering solutions to facilitate the preservation of a dozen of Wright’s most important buildings, and educating other professionals and the public on such developments through numerous publications, presentations and film documentaries, we are pleased to present this year’s award to you. “ Timothy Quigley, President, Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy
UPCOMING RSA PROJECTS
The National Museum of the United States Army with the architectural firm, Skidmore Owings & Merrill. This is a $200 M museum and entertainment complex to be built at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, VA, not far from the Pentagon. The complex will contain exhibition space, research facilities, restaurant and shops, and a parade ground for simulated battle reenactments. The 255,000 square foot complex is planned to open in 2009.
The Whitney Museum of American Art Expansion project with architect Renzo Piano, in conjunction with local architects Cooper Robertson, is to be a 9-story tower adjacent to the existing 1966 historic landmark by Marcel Breuer. This design will double the size of the museum and includes a glass covered entry vestibule, small garden, and new lobby, with glass walkways connecting the 2 buildings.
Guggenheim Museum Exterior Restoration Robert Silman Associates was hired directly by the museum as the structural consultants for the exterior restoration of the spiral concrete faade walls. Since the museum's inception, these walls have cracked seasonally due to thermal movement. RSA's challenge is to arrest the cracking.
Vietnam Memorial Education Visitor Center, Washington DC with Polshek Partnership The 25,000 sf structure likely be underground- dug into an elevated area near Maya Lin's minimalist Memorial so as not to interfere visually with the Memorial itself. Exhibits, which will encompass about 10,000 square-feet of the space will be designed by Ralph Applebaum and Associates. $40 M needs to be raised for construction, and completion is planned for 2008 or 2009.