Preservation Architecture is known for delivering personal service and a high level of technical expertise to Clients and other design firms. Principal Marilyn Kaplan undertakes or directly oversees all work, with the support of team members with equivalent historic preservation expertise and commitment.  

We nurture long-term relationships with our Clients, serving as an architectural and historic preservation resource over many years and across diverse technical efforts from supporting grant applications to full construction administration.

We believe in loyalty, excellence, collaboration, and the importance of intense listening. 

We promise to deliver the highest level of technical expertise appropriate to the unique conditions of each historic building in order to identify appropriate and financially-feasible means to stabilize, rehabilitate, and restore for current and future use and enjoyment.

Preservation Architecture provides architectural services that match the Client’s priorities and resources, as well as the needs of the historic building. Services range from preparation of bid documents and oversight of full construction projects to limited or comprehensive existing condition assessments or Historic Structure Reports.

Consultant to Design Professionals

Preservation Architecture, a Woman-Owned Business (WBE), often serves on the team of larger architectural or engineering firms where a specialized knowledge of Building, Energy and Fire Codes or Historic Preservation is essential. Examples include the New York State Capitol and Court of Appeals, the White House and Russell Senate Office Building (Washington, DC), and the Staatsburg (Mills Mansion), Saratoga Spa State Park, and Olana State Historic Sites.

Architecture & Construction

Maintaining watertight conditions involves the entire exterior envelope: from repairs of limited scope, such as stone restoration, to comprehensive projects entailing new roofs and drainage and upper level wood and masonry repairs. The firm has undertaken scores of such projects on religious properties and buildings owned by municipalities, museums, libraries, and art and cultural centers.

Existing Conditions & Feasibility Assessment: Museums, Theatres, Religious Properties + Municipal Buildings

Building assessments range from those narrow in focus, such as exploring options for improved accessibility, to full evaluations of architectural and structural conditions and building systems that may result in building upgrades or modifications. These assessments often support grant and fundraising efforts; provide a phasing plan for the systematic undertaking of improvements; or explore design and technical options ultimately incorporated into the rehabilitation or restoration project.

Incorporating the requirements of a modern sanctuary, museum, cultural center or performance space within a historic building requires knowledge and experience in historic preservation, contemporary architecture, construction, codes, and any unique requirements of funders. Since no two projects are alike, each project requires a fresh and creative approach to weave the Client’s aspirations with the pragmatic aspects of architecture and construction.