Founded in 1964 as the first Masters Program in Historic Preservation in the United States, the program embodies a pioneering spirit by continually questioning how the discipline actively responds to the changing social values and climate challenges associated with architectural and cultural heritage, so as to ensure that the historic built environment better serves present and future generations.
The program prepares its graduates in the theoretical and practical foundations of preservation so they can be agents of positive environmental, cultural, and social change. Students are drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds such as architecture, art history, history, urban planning, engineering, science, art, urban design, archeology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy and jurisprudence. Students bring to bear their respective interests on preservation. By focusing on historical, aesthetic, technological, environmental, social and political questions, the program cultivates deep engagement with the ideas and practices that constitute preservation, and the broad multi-disciplinary skill sets that it draws upon.
The program reflects a global outlook in its diverse faculty, alumni, visiting scholars, advanced researchers, as well as in the locales where students work. It emphasizes real-world engagement with buildings, sites and communities near campus and beyond. Through study and engaged research in New York and New Jersey, as well as countries such as Italy, Cuba, Ethiopia, France, Haiti, Mexico, Norway, and the United Kingdom students apply skills in the real world and co-create knowledge with multiple publics. Learning beyond the lab and classroom is likewise enhanced through faculty-led publications, studio reports, research, public lectures and events such as the annual Fitch Colloquium.
Jump to the sections below to learn more about the MSHP program:
The centerpiece of the curriculum is a three-semester studio sequence, supported by core coursework. These interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning experiences encompass skill-building in historical, social, and technical research, data collection and visualization, community and stakeholder engagement, formal and material analyses, condition surveys, planning and policy development, interpretive and adaptive design, and the formulation of evidence-based proposals for action. Exploring questions of research and interpretation, cultural identity and values, justice and equity, sustainability and resilience, creative expression and process, these studios position the work in the field within broader societal and environmental contexts, and within broader realms of critical inquiry.
During the summer between the first and second year, the Historic Preservation Program strongly suggests the completion of one or more internships or work experiences as part of a student’s education and career development, and provides support in identifying opportunities in New York and elsewhere.
A capstone of the curriculum is a student thesis. As a critical piece of independent research, the thesis allows students to augment their course and fieldwork to further develop specialized knowledge in an aspect of the preservation enterprise. Students develop their thesis work with the support of faculty to forge new lines of inquiry and practice, as well as to engage with members of the discipline as they launch their careers.
For those students who would like to like to specialize further or expand their studies, GSAPP offers dual degrees, allowing Historic Preservation students to jointly study Architecture (MArch), Urban Planning, or Real Estate Development.
Course | Semester | Title | Student Work | Instructor | Syllabus | Requirements & Sequence | Location & Time | Session & Points | Call No. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A4080‑1 | Fall 2024 |
HP Elective Internship
|
Sarahgrace Godwin |
NA
NA
|
FULL SEMESTER
1.5 Points
|
10599 | |||
A4510‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Studio 1-Historic Preservation Studio
|
Andrew Dolkart, Kate Reggev |
301 FAYERWEATHER , 200 BUELL
TU 2 PM - 6 PM + F 9AM-1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10601 | |||
A6305‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Advanced Studio III-Joint Historic Preservation/Architecture Studio
|
Jorge Otero-Pailos, Mark Rakatansky |
TBD
M 1:30- 6:30 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10602 | |||
A6730 | Fall 2024 |
Traditional American Architecture
|
Andrew Dolkart | REQUIRED HPI, H/T POST 1800 NW |
209 FAYERWEATHER
TU 11 AM - 1 PM
|
3 Points
|
10600 | ||
A6740‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Historic Preservation Theory & Practice
|
Jorge Otero-Pailos |
Preservation Technology Lab
W 2PM-5PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10605 | |||
A6790‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Thesis I
|
Paul Bentel, Sarah Sher |
200 BUELL
W 9 AM - 11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10609 | |||
A6856‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Master Class
|
Preservation Technology Lab
M/ TU/ TH 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
|
SES A (9/23, 9/24, 9/26, 9/30, 10/1, 10/3)
|
10613 | ||||
A6921‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Machine Learning
|
Bilge Kose, Kivanc Kose |
Preservation Technology Lab
W 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
|
SES B
1.5 Points
|
10610 | |||
A6937‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Visualization Techniques for Arch Preservation
|
André Jauregui, Halley Ramos |
Preservation Technology Lab
W 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
|
SES A
1.5 Points
|
10612 | |||
A6510‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Neighborhood Preservation and Zoning
|
Carol Clark |
WARE LOUNGE - 600 AVERY HALL
TU 11AM- 1PM
|
SES B
1.5 Points
|
10603 | |||
A6767‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Preservation Planning and Policy
|
Erica Avrami |
412 AVERY
TH 1 PM- 3 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10606 | |||
Pla6909‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Advanced Studio III - Joint Historic Preservation/Urban Planning Studio
|
Erica Avrami, Shreya Ghoshal |
TBD
TBD
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10614 | |||
A6768‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Conservation of Architectural Metals
|
Richard Pieper |
Preservation Technology Lab
M 10 AM- 1 PM
|
SES A
1.5 Points
|
10607 | |||
A6784‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Conservation of Brick + Terra Cotta & Stone
|
Norman Weiss, Daniel Allen |
Preservation Technology Lab
M 10 AM- 1 PM
|
SES B
1.5 Points
|
10608 | |||
A6934‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Traditional Building Technology
|
Tim Michiels |
Preservation Technology Lab
TH 9:00 - 11:30 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10611 | |||
A6886‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Building the Engine: Industry + the African Urban Agenda
|
Fatou Dieye |
505 Avery
TU 9 AM - 1 PM ( First class: F 1:30pm)
|
SES A
3 Points
|
14032 | |||
A6965‑1 | Fall 2024 |
ADV V STUDIO – CLINIC
|
Bryony Roberts |
TH 2 PM - 5 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10536 | |||
A4892‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Data Visualization for Architecture, Urbanism and the Humanities
|
Jia Zhang |
409 AVERY
F 9 AM - 11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10576 | |||
A4047‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Immeasurable Sites
|
Emanuel Admassu |
408 AVERY
W 11 AM - 1 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10596 | |||
A6830‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Difference and Design
|
Justin Moore |
412 AVERY / ONLINE
TU 3 PM - 5 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
14028 | |||
A6927‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Science + Technology Studies
|
Albena Yaneva |
412 AVERY
M 11 AM - 1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10533 | |||
A6929‑1 | Fall 2024 |
The Reimagining of Lower Manhattan Post-Sandy
|
Michael Kimmelman |
408 AVERY
W 9 AM - 11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10534 | |||
Pla4444‑1 | Fall 2024 |
The Future City: Transforming Urban Infrastructure
|
Kate Ascher |
113 AVERY
TU 1 PM - 3 PM
|
3 Points
|
14136 | |||
A6814‑1 | Fall 2024 |
New Towns After Smart Cities
|
David Smiley |
412 AVERY
TU 1 PM - 3 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
14029 | |||
Pla6272‑1 | Fall 2024 |
New York Rising: How Real Estate Shapes a City
|
Kate Ascher |
114 AVERY
F 11 AM - 1 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10530 | |||
ARCHA6966‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Le Corbusier Beyond Europe
|
Mary McLeod |
409 Avery
TU 11 AM - 1 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
18002 | |||
ARCHA6967‑1 | Fall 2024 |
Cities of Knowledge: Orientalizing Manhattan
|
Ziad Jamaleddine |
934 SCHERMERHORN
TU 2:10 PM - 4 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
18102 |