Advocacy

The AIA represents the interests of architects before federal, state, and local governments and other policy-making bodies and organizations. This outreach, coupled with sustained member participation and active involvement in the political process, enables the AIA to advocate on legislative, regulatory, and related issues of importance to AIA members.  Below are current action items for our members to become involved.

AIA New Orleans, in partnership with AIA Louisiana, has been very active on issues as concerns the built environment at the city and state levels.  To learn more, or to become involved, please contact Executive Director, Melissa Urcan.

ADVOCACY ACTION ITEMS:

The drafts of the HDLC guidelines sections "Types and Stiles" have been posted on the Google Group site for your review. We value your comments and opinions, and hope you will take the time to review the sections and give us feedback. The deadline for any response on these two sections is September 11, 2010. http://groups.google.com/group/hdlcguidelines?hl=en

Please Click Here to download the "Types and Stiles" guidelines.

The drafts of the HDLC guidelines sections "Windows and Doors" and "Exterior Woodwork" have been posted on the Google Group site for your review. We value your comments and opinions and hope you will take the time to review the sections and give us your feedback. The deadline for any response on these two sections is February 4, 2010.http://groups.google.com/group/hdlcguidelines?hl=en

Please follow this link to download the current guidelines for review.

http://groups.google.com/group/hdlcguidelines/sub?s=1scZWAwAAAAGBbcQmJHqvX6i-PluBDiI&hl=en
 
It has been proposed that in rewriting the HDLC guidelines, that we restructure the current HDLC color rating system. The current color rating system is as follows:

The Historic District Landmarks Commission has been honored with a Preserve America Grant that, in conjunction with matching Community Development Block Grant funds, will finance the rewriting and updating of the HDLC design guidelines. Through a competitive process, we have selected the consultant firm, Preservation Design Partnership, to develop the new guidelines that will provide a vision of the future of the City of New Orleans that is in harmony with its past.

A critical component of this project will be the establishment of an Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of the City's preservation interests.

The Advisory Committee members will have the opportunity to provide valuable comments and insight while shaping this new document. We hope you will accept this invitation to serve on the Advisory Committee.

We understand that while your knowledge, experience, and expertise may be plentiful, your free time isn't. It is for this reason we plan on keeping meetings to a minimum and will be utilizing this Google group to post drafts of the new document for review, comment, and discussion. We anticipate posting updates monthly and, in order to maintain the current schedule (and our contract), need to receive all comments within 8 (eight) days of the posting.

Here is the group's description:

A select group of preservationists, architects, planners, city officials, and neighborhood representatives working to draft new and updated design guidelines for the New Orleans and Central Business District Historic District Landmarks Commission.

Purple: Buildings of National Importance. These nationally important buildings include important works by architects having a national reputation; buildings or groups of buildings designated as National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Services; or unique examples illustrating American architectural development. In addition to the architectural significance of the buildings in this classification, they may be associated with historical events or persons that have national importance. It is of the utmost importance that these buildings be preserved, be properly maintained, and when needed be carefully restored.

Blue: Buildings of Major Architectural Importance. Buildings in this classification include outstanding examples of works by notable architects or builders; unique or exceptionally fine examples of a particular style or period when original details remain; buildings which make up an important, intact grouping or row, even when some of the buildings within the group have been defaced; and noteworthy examples of construction techniques when the original fabric of the building is basically intact. All buildings included in this category should be preserved, be protected from unsympathetic modifications, and have original facade treatments properly restored when possible.

Green: Buildings of Architectural or Historical Importance. This category includes buildings that are typical examples of architectural styles or types found in New Orleans, when the building retains its original architectural details and makes a notable contribution to the over-all character of a particular area of the City. In some cases, buildings of lesser architectural importance will be included in this category if they introduce an important keynote to an area or have specific historical significance related to either an historical event or person. It is important that buildings covered by this classification be preserved and when feasible, restored as closely as possible to their original appearanance.

Red: Important Buildings that have been Altered. This category includes important buildings that have had much of their exterior architectural details removed or covered. Due to their scale and basic construction, however, these buildings still make a notable contribution to the overall character of an area. If a building in this classification were to be properly restored or renovated, the rating would automatically be raised. Though placed in a lower category, the significance of these buildings should not be overlooked or minimized.

Gold: Buildings that Contribute to the Scene. These buildings generally date from the late nineteenth century or twentieth century and are typical examples of an architectural period or style. Though these buildings are of lesser stylistic importance, and are frequently quite modest in appearance, they are important to the character of the area due to scale, materials, and/or increasing age. If a particular section is to retain its present character, it is important that examples of buildings in this classification should be preserved as closely as possible to their original form and character. If the character of an area is to be changed, a selected number of these buildings might be worthy candidates for preservation.

Grey or Black: Unrated Buildings. Buildings that have not been given a specific architectural rating are generally twentieth century structures that have no real architectural value. Although some of these buildings have a detrimental impact on the area in which they are located, others are sympathetic to adjoining buildings due to their texture, proportions and massing.

We believe that the current system for rating buildings was carried over from the color rating system used by the Vieux Carre Commission.

Unlike the Vieux Carre, the districts regulated by the HDLC do not have a clear period of significance, and as such, earlier 20th century buildings (which carry a Gold rating) are not afforded the same protection as the late 19th century neighbors. A telling example of this disparity is the total lack of protection for terra cotta tile roofs, an important characteristic of many early 20th century buildings. Hard roof shingles such as slate and tile are only truly protected on blue and purple rated buildings. Very few buildings of this age or style carry blue or purple ratings, leaving these character defining roofs virtually unprotected. In addition, the current system leaves little room for buildings of the recent past which are proving to be the most at-risk of our historic resources.

Lastly, the current color rating system adds complexity to an already complex set of guidelines.

So...It has been recommended that the current system be converted to three (3) ratings:

Purple & Blue = Significant

Gold, Red, & Green = Contributing

Unrated = Non contributing

This would essentially afford the extra protection required for our most important buildings and increase protection for our more recent historic structures, while greatly simplifying the system for the public.