Preservation design broadens curriculum

by Elise Mullen

Preservation Design [previously known as Historic Preservation] is one of SCAD’s smallest majors. With being such a broad area of study, it’s hard to define in one way what this major entails.

The front of Clarence Thomas Center, the home of Preservation Design. [Elise Mullen/Scaddistrict.com]

K.J. Winters, a third-year preservation design major and President of the Student Preservation Association, shared more on what goes on inside and outside the classroom. Preservation design falls under a large umbrella of possibilities, generally speaking it is, “Preserving, constructing, rehabilitating and striving to keep things that you find important for the future,” Winters said.

Junior Preservation Design Major, K.j. Winters, poses for a portrait in classroom. [Elise Mullen/Scaddistrict.com]

Studying in Savannah allows students front row access to many historic structures, “We focus a lot on buildings, that’s one of the most tangible things, especially in Savannah,” Winters said. “We do a lot of work around here because you can actually get out and see the things you’re learning about and do something, in some cases, to help the community.”

The stories they hear from locals while studying different buildings is one of the most rewarding things about preservation design.

“We make sure that we don’t lose traditions. We’re here to help and preserve for the future, we have a passion and fall in love with the things other people fall in love with.”

Winters works in a computer lab on a 3d model of a building the class scanned earlier this quarter.

In total, preservation design has around 50 students, and about 24 of those are undergraduate students. Right now, Winters is in a class of 16, the largest major class he has had at SCAD. “It’s nice because you get to know each other. You understand how people work and how to challenge each other. You know the professors and can make relationships with them,” Winters said. Perks of being a small department, include professors and students are always accessible and willing to help each other out with different projects.

A bottom floor classroom in Clarence Hall features the originally ceiling. [Elise Mullen/Scaddistrict.com]

In 2017, the major changed from historic preservation to preservation design in order to broaden the opportunities for students. “Preservation design is super broad, it goes across a bunch of different interest. If you have a passion for something, there’s a good chance you can put preservation to use or connect it in some way,” Winters said.

Winters shows sketch measurements of a building the class is studying. [Elise Mullen/Scaddistrict.com]
A Savannah gray brick study in one of the classrooms. [Elise Mullen/Scaddistrict.com]

Classes have changed since the name change, but it’s opening up the possibilities of what students can do. “We have digital practice classes, and it was broadened, so now we use laser scanners to scan buildings and put it into a computer application that makes a 3D model to take measurements off of. It gave us the opportunity to make those jumps and strives,” Winters said.

Class sketches are displayed to help work on a buidling remotely.

Winters isn’t sure where he’ll go after graduation but that the endless possibilities leave him options. “I have so many opportunities that no matter what I first take, that will be an experience and it will tell me what I want to do in the future,” Winters said. “Usually, your first job isn’t your last job so I’ll learn a lot through that as well. There’s so many opportunities around Savannah to get connections and talk to people, I’m going to try things out and figure it out by doing it.”