Craftsmanship, Preservation, & Sustainability: John F.W. Rogers Opens the Enduring Places Conference

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It's an honor to be with all of you this morning at this national conference celebrating preservation and the practice of classical architecture and design. This weekend, we welcome many prolific architects, interior designers, urbanists, and educators who will offer insights into a variety of compelling topics encompassing the full range of the building arts: preservation, restoration, art and artisanship, classical architecture, and urbanism. These are just some of the elements that will be explored in the lectures and panel discussions. We'll also delve into the creation of new townships and municipalities and reimagine public spaces, not only as attractions of beauty and reflection, but also as areas that serve the practical needs of the communities they depend on. For those focused on the future of stewardship of classical designs, we encourage you to experience the Student and Young Professionals Exhibition that Russell mentioned at the Aiken-Rhett House during your stay. This comprehensive showcase displays works across a wide range of mediums, including paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and much more. It's incredible to see the myriad ways these traditional practices thrive in the care and craft of talented young individuals. The future of art and design remains in good hands. This hotel is an ideal setting for this event, as its continuous restorations make it a triumph of historic architecture with nearly a hundred years of antiquity. The themes of craftsmanship, preservation, and sustainability can be fully experienced here, reflecting our steadfast principles of advocacy for dignified, beautiful, and lasting places. Charleston provides an even broader opportunity to witness restoration, adaptive reuse, and community building, evident in their sensitivity to context. Preservation of traditional art and design is so universally displayed here that one might become educated in the classical style simply by meandering through its streets. I first encountered Charleston after Hurricane Hugo in 1989, as Chairman of the National Council on Historic Preservation, and I have returned many times since, always discovering something new. The theme of this conference, Enduring Places, speaks to the people who create and care for these buildings as much as to the architectures themselves. For these individuals, preserving the past or forging the future is more than a profession; it's a calling that sustains a deep need to care for what's come for future generations or to blaze new trails in sustainable design, period decor, and preservation. My own predisposition toward the classical tradition began during Ronald Reagan's first term, where, with the President's support, I began a multi-decade journey committed to conserving and preserving the White House and its surroundings. That effort included restoring the Old Executive Office Building and the Treasury Building, two magnificent piles that are cornerstones of Pennsylvania Avenue. I am also privileged to continue this work as Chairman of the Board of the White House Historical Association and Trust. The experience yields a connection to these storied edifices entwined with our nation's narrative, inspiring us to capture and convey our past to future generations. But the continuation of historic preservation and classical design is not a foregone conclusion. It takes the shared efforts of architects, historians, educators, designers, and artisans—all of you—to advance appreciation and practice of traditional architecture. Our collective efforts are practical pursuits, as classicism provides enduring forms, lessons, and tools that are adaptive and eloquent. When we infuse the wisdom of the past with contemporary ingenuity, we employ timeless tenets in ways that complement current contexts. The Institute's role cannot be overstated. It serves as a committed guardian of the standards and lessons of the classical tradition, safeguarding the path forward. Ultimately, the Institute is rooted in a profound belief in the transformational power of beauty, harmony, and timeless principles. It challenges us to reconsider the essence of our built environment and inspires us to create spaces that enrich our lives and stand as a testament to our shared humanity. In our journey through time, we have seen the preservation of the past and the forging of the future. The women and men dedicated to this noble pursuit are to be congratulated and encouraged. One such individual is with us today, and it's a privilege to introduce the first featured lecturer of this national conference. Please welcome Witold, an architect, professor, and prolific writer on housing, architecture, and technology, with a talent for connecting with non-technical enthusiasts. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, the Seaside Prize, and the Vincent Scully Prize, and is an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Architects and an honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He is a luminary in the reflection, examination, recognition, and future of the building arts. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our next speaker.