CAN WE FIX IT? YES, WE CAN!: THE ESSENTIAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITES FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS

Abstract

Construction projects that preserve, repair, rehabilitate, and reconstruct our historic buildings require special knowledge, skills, and abilities for selecting preservation sensitive design and treatment of the historic fabric. What historic preservation knowledge, skills, and abilities are important to construction managers that enable preservation projects to be completed on time, within budget and without damaging historic fabric? Are those subjects of knowledge, skills, and abilities now being taught to Construction Management students at the collegiate level? My analysis begins with a discussion of the differences between new construction projects and historic preservation treatment projects, and the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities in the area of legal, economic and technical issues necessary for preservation of historic buildings. These areas of knowledge, skills and abilities are demonstrated using case study examples of historic preservation projects. Next, the parallel development of construction management as a profession and construction management education in the United States establishes a context for examining construction management curriculum. A comparative analysis of the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) standards reveals how historic preservation coursework could be used to enrich construction management education. The review of current historic preservation-related coursework in ACCE baccalaureate degree programs determines which knowledge, skills and abilities in historic preservation are currently being taught to construction management students. Out of 72 ACCE accredited Construction Management programs, only 11 offered historic preservation-related courses. Recommendations for incorporating historic preservation topics into construction management baccalaureate curricula are made based on NCPE standards. My analysis concludes that historic preservation coursework can be effectively incorporated into existing construction management courses, particularly capstone projects and internships, in order to prepare future construction managers to preserve our historic buildings.