What are the responsibilities and job description for the Historic Architect position at Hanbury?
Driven by global thinking and local impact, Hanbury is an architecture firm that designs environments for people. With practical optimism, we push the boundaries of what’s possible while staying rooted in what’s indispensable. We design experiences that naturally draw people in – ones that are curated, aspirational, and a refreshing departure from the ordinary. Through acting with empathy, planning adaptably, and designing holistically, we deliver ideas with stretch. Learn more about Hanbury here.
The Historic Architect / Historic Preservation Lead is responsible for advancing the firm’s historic preservation practice, providing technical leadership, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of historic resources. This role leads the evaluation, planning, and design of preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects, while integrating preservation best practices into the firm’s broader design work.
This individual serves as both a subject matter expert and a strategic leader, collaborating with project teams, mentoring staff, and contributing to business development efforts to grow the firm’s preservation portfolio.
Location: Richmond, VA (preferred); Baltimore, MD;
Job Responsibilities
Practice Leadership & Strategy
• Establish and grow the firm’s historic preservation practice.
• Identify new business opportunities and support proposal development, interviews, and client presentations.
• Build relationships with clients, public agencies, and preservation organizations.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to integrate preservation into broader design and planning initiatives.
Technical Leadership & Project Delivery
• Lead historic preservation projects from initial assessment through design and construction administration.
• Conduct building assessments, historic structure reports, and conditions surveys.
• Develop preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse strategies in alignment with project goals and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, including the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Prepare technical drawings, specifications, and documentation for preservation-related work.
• Coordinate with consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies throughout all project phases.
Regulatory & Agency Coordination
• Serve as the primary liaison with preservation authorities, including State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and local review boards.
• Navigate Section 106 review processes.
• Support approvals processes for projects involving historic resources.
• Manage historic preservation tax credit application processes.
Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing
• Mentor and guide architects and designers in preservation principles and best practices.
• Develop internal resources, standards, and training related to historic preservation.
• Promote a culture of design excellence rooted in contextual and historically informed solutions.
Education
• Professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch).
Required Skills
• Licensed Architect (or ability to obtain licensure).
• Minimum 10 years of experience, with a strong focus on historic preservation projects.
• Demonstrated experience with preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of historic structures.
• Deep knowledge of traditional building materials, systems, and construction techniques.
• Experience working with preservation standards, regulatory agencies, and approval processes.
Preferred Skills
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Historic Architecture.
• Experience with federal and state historic tax credit projects.
• Familiarity with sustainability strategies in historic buildings.
• Advanced skills in building pathology, materials conservation, and envelope restoration.