Join preservationists, developers, architects, planners, and community leaders at Taliesin on April 28 for a focused, one-day workshop exploring how historic buildings can help address today’s housing needs.Through case studies, panel discussions, and rapid-fire PechaKucha presentations, participants will examine real projects across Wisconsin—from successful adaptive reuse developments to buildings that present challenges and opportunities for housing.
Agenda Overview
Workshop sessions on April 28 will explore financing tools such as historic tax credits, navigating building codes for existing structures, forming effective project teams, and identifying overlooked historic resources that could be repurposed as housing. The program will also highlight strategies for reusing large institutional campuses and activating underused downtown buildings.
Make the most of your experience with optional add-ons on April 27:
Guided Taliesin Tour — Go behind the scenes with the people who know and care for this extraordinary site
Evening Reception at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home — A rare opportunity to gather in an unforgettable setting with speakers and fellow attendees
Registration
Register to join us at Taliesin, April 27-28. Not a member? Join first to access discounted pricing.
Non-member registration: Reception $200 | Workshop $150 | Tour $75
Wisconsin Trust members: Reception $125 | Workshop $100 | Tour $35
Additional savings for those who join at the Preservationist or Heritage Circle levels.
Contact info@wipreservation.org with any questions.
Historic + Affordable: Housing that Works
Hillside Theater | Taliesin, Spring Green | April 27-28
Workshop Agenda
Monday, April 27
Afternoon - Preservation Tour of Taliesin
Small Group Tour - 1:30 - 4:30. Departs from Hillside Theater Complex
6:30 - 9:00 PM - An Evening at Taliesin: Reception in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home
Tuesday, April 28 (Hillside Theater unless otherwise stated)
9:00 am - Registration and Networking
9:30 am - Welcome - Kathryn Berger, Interim CEO, WTHP; Joe Specter, Pres/CEO, FLW Foundation; Matt Jarosz, Director, UWM Historic Preservation Institute
9:45 am - Opening Remarks - Tricia Canaday, SHPO
10:15 am - Unlocking Housing Potential: What’s Possible, What’s Stalled, What’s Working Rapid-Fire PechaKucha Session featuring 10 projects
11:30 am - IEBC Performance Compliance: A Smarter Path to Housing in Historic Buildings - Chris Rute, AIA, RIBA
Noon - Lunch is served in Hillside Dining Room and Drafting Studio
Hillside Complex Restoration: Emily Butler and Ryan Hewson, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Pecha Kucha presenters will be available for extended discussion during lunch
Chance to explore ongoing restoration projects at FLW Hillside Complex
1:15 pm - Getting It Right Before You Build: Team Strategy for Historic Projects - Moderator: Aaron Holverson, Studio GWA; Panelists: Bryce Unger, CG Schmidt; Donna Weiss, New History; Pat O'Brien, Milwaukee Development Corp.
1:55 pm - Upstairs Housing Downtown: Turning underused upper stories into housing - Moderator: Jeff Towne, WHEDA; Tammy Black, Stickley Morton Architects; Joe Lawniczak, WEDC
2:35 pm - Historic Buildings, Affordable Homes: A Developer’s Perspective - Moderator: Jen Davel; Panel: Todd Hutchison, Wisconsin Redevelopment; Sig Strautmanis, General Capital; Russ Endres, Wisconsin Management Co.
3:15 pm - Break
3:30 pm - Frank Lloyd Wright’s Affordable Housing Vision: American System-Built Homes - Mike Lilek, Burnham Block Curator
3:55 pm - Yesterday’s Solution, Tomorrow’s Asset: When Affordable Housing Becomes Historic - Ted Matkom, Gorman & Co.; Jason Flatt, Fairchild & Flatt Consulting; Jen Davel, Heritage Consulting Group
4:20 - Sleeping Giants: Reawakening Large Historic Campuses - Jon Beck, Alexander Company
4:50 - Wrap Up
Sponsor the Workshop
Interested in sponsoring this workshop? Sponsors gain visibility with a statewide audience while supporting the Wisconsin Trust’s mission to preserve historic places and strengthen communities. Explore options below.
Sponsorship Levels Sponsors gain visibility with a statewide audience while supporting the Wisconsin Trust’s mission to preserve historic places and strengthen communities.