White House preservation efforts led by former architecture student

As the new historic preservation specialist at the White House, Martin Howell, a Texas A&M former student, has a major role in maintaining the historic nature of one of America’s most famous addresses.

Howell, who earned a Master of Architecture degree in 1998, is the senior architect for the White House and President’s Park, where he’s responsible for programming, planning, designing and conducting research for construction, alteration, repair and rehabilitation projects. President’s Park includes the White House grounds and the Ellipse, Lafayette Park, Sherman Park and the First Division Monument.

Howell, who earned a historic preservation certificate at Texas A&M with his master’s degree, began his post at the White House after 12 years at Oehrlein & Associates, a full service architectural firm in Washington, D.C. specializing in the preservation of historic structures and the design of compatible new construction.

At Oehrlein he worked on many landmark structures, including the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, buildings at Ellis Island, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Petersen House, where Abraham Lincoln died, the Eisenhower National Historic Site, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and buildings at Gettysburg National Military Park.

Several of his projects have been recognized for their merits in historic preservation with awards from the American Institute of Architects and other industry organizations.  He has also taught graduate courses at the School of Architecture at Catholic University in Washington, DC.

Martin resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Ashley, also an accomplished historic preservation architect and Texas A&M alumna, and their two children, Adler and Malina.  When not practicing architecture or spending time with family, he enjoys sailboat racing.

- Posted: Feb. 11, 2011 -

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