News

YOU'VE GOT TO HAND IT TO THEM: ATTENDEES WERE MORE CRAFTY THAN EVER

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Education for traditional craftsmen, along with 150 product exhibits, were the big draws at the recent Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference, held in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center from March 12 to 15.

“Education on the show floor and 150 beautiful exhibits created a great buzz in the exhibit hall,” says Eric Peterson, director of the event. “Having 3 ½  hours of exhibits-only time, which helps to create excitement and action on the show floor, drives more attendees to the traditional product exhibits.”

Typically, the mix of attendees at the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference is one-third architects, one-third contractors, and one-third other occupational types, along with enthusiasts. This year, with an emphasis on craft, construction techniques, and hands-on demonstrations, combined with the usual array of period building materials on display, contractors, tradespeople, building artisans, and old-house owners attended in greater numbers. And they spent time talking with exhibitors, who, with real product knowledge to offer, provide an important part of the conference’s educational program.

The three keynote presentations were also popular. During one, Joe Riley, mayor of Charleston, S.C., described his city’s successful downtown historic revitalization program. At a second, Mark Schara, AIA, from the National Park Service gave a history of the Historic American Building Survey (the U.S. government’s oldest preservation program). At the third and final keynote, Frank Shirley, AIA, discussed “New Rooms for Old Houses” and showed off breath-taking examples of well-done projects.

Off site at the historic Hampshire House, the show’s official magazines, Clem Labine’s Traditional Building and Clem Labine’s Period Homes, celebrated the 500th anniversary of iconic Italian architect Andrea Palladio’s birth with the seventh annual Palladio Design Awards dinner on Wednesday evening March 12. Awards for excellence in traditional building design were given to 10 architectural firms, for both residential and non-residential projects. Fittingly, two firms, Pier Carlo Bontempi and Andrea Pacciani Architects, traveled all the way from Italy to receive their awards.

Other popular events off the show floor included architectural tours of the famed Trinity Church and the Charlestown Navy Yard. “Whether you are from Boston, from somewhere else in the United States, or from a foreign land, there is bound to be something interesting, informative, inspirational, and entertaining at the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference when we have it here at the Hynes,” says Judy Hayward, the event’s conference director. “That’s why we’ll be back in Boston next year!”

For information on upcoming Traditional Building Shows, visit www.traditionalbuildingshow.com.