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• Wayfarers Chapel - Documenting & Dismantling

  • When
    Thursday, September 25, 2025
  •  
    18:00 - 20:00
  • Location
    ARG's Office, 360 E. 2nd St. #225, LA, CA 90012
  • Spaces left
    40

  Registration is closed

  WAYFARERS CHAPEL Documenting & Dismantling Rescheduled!

  
  

  Photo Credit: NPS

  WCAPT with Architectural Resources Group and KC Restoration invite you to a preservation presentation at ARG's Office in Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Thursday, September 25th 6:00 pm - 8:00pm With networking + refreshments

  Project Background: Sited on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Rancho Palos Verdes’ Portuguese Bend, Wayfarers Chapel is an exceptional example of postwar organic religious architecture. Completed in 1951, it is arguably the most significant work of architect and landscape designer Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr. In 2023, the Portuguese Bend landslide began to move at an unprecedented and alarming rate, and by early 2024, it was clear that the chapel would need to be moved off site to save it from an impending natural disaster. This program will focus on the process for documenting and disassembling the National Historic Landmark in the midst of the devastating and ongoing land movement plaguing the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The project team will also discuss preliminary concepts for reassembly Session Description: Discussion of the technical aspects of disassembly, including review of existing documentation, evaluation of current conditions, collaboration with the Wayfarers Chapel Board and contractor team, prioritization of historic elements to be salvaged, and material recommendations for storage and reassembly.

  Photo Credit: ARG

  Presenters will include: Evanne St. Charles, LFA, LEED AP O+M Associate Principal, ARG Scott Severson, Senior Designer, ARG Dave Monk, Project Manager, KC Restoration

  Photo Credit: KC Restoration

  Topics include: Reviewing the methodologies, technologies (i.e. laser scanning) and documentation used to appropriately dismantle the building for future reassembly. Summarizing the discoveries and lessons learned in the dismantling process that may be applied to other historic buildings facing similar challenges. Exploring the process for identifying an appropriate site for reassembly.

  Photo Credit: ARG

  Registration: $25 (Members) $20 (Corporate Patrons, Sponsors, & Supporters) $20 (Emerging Professionals) $10 (Students)

  Event Schedule: 6:00 – Doors Open, Registration 6:30 – Welcome Intro of Team and Methodology Overview by Evanne St. Charles Disassembly + Discoveries by Dave Monk Preliminary Concepts for Reassembly by Scott Severson 7:30 – Reception provided by KC Restoration.  Attendees are encouraged to continue the conversation after the presentation. Location:  360 E. 2nd St. #225, LA, CA 90012 Street Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. About the speakers: Evanne St. Charles, LFA, LEED AP O+M, Associate Principal, ARG Evanne is an Architectural Historian and Preservation Planner in ARG’s Los Angeles office with over twelve years of experience in historic resource management. She has managed and contributed to a range of historic preservation projects, including historic structure reports, landmark nominations, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance documentation, and federal historic preservation tax credit applications. Evanne is also actively involved with the Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) as a co-chair of the APT’s Technical Committee on Sustainable Preservation. Scott Severson, Senior Designer, ARG Scott has over eighteen years of experience working in internationally recognized architectural offices on award winning projects. The majority of his experience has focused on cultural work, most notably the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science, with Morphosis. And also the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, with the Arts+Culture team at Gensler. Scott has gained experience through working on many different stages of the architectural process, ranging from programming, design and construction phases, to the final punch list. Similar to his project experience, Scott's role has varied from leading small teams on large complex designs, to helping shape the arts+culture team he worked closely with while at Gensler. Scott is a creative designer who values the process found in creating buildings that help shape the cities we live in.  Dave Monk, KC Restoration Dave studied History and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California before entering restoration. While early in his career, Dave is already an experienced project manager with $30M of historical contracts completed or in progress. Dave's knowledge of available materials, tooling, and methods of construction ensures that KC's team can deliver exceptional pre-construction services, rigorous cost control, and durable, high-quality results. He is KC's technical lead in framing, woodworking, and metals. Dave delights in achieving modern building performance without substantially altering a building's historic appearance.

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