Architecture That Speaks

I’m Carolyn Brown, long time photographer from Dallas. It’s an honor to be here and especially to be a part of “Architecture That Speaks” SCP Vosper and Ten Remarkable Buildings at Texas A&M, with the beautiful, informative writings by Nancy T. McCoy and David G. Woodcock.

Several years ago, Preservation Architect Nancy McCoy sent me to A&M University to photograph some renovations at the Jack K. Williams and Scoates Hall buildings. I was swept away by fascinatingly gorgeous Beaux-arts 1920-30’s architecture. The Williams Administration interior was one the most beautiful spaces I’ve ever photographed—and I was completely enthralled. I sent some of the photos to the folks at A&M Press and they immediately suggested a book. Our team was a natural with Nancy and David Woodcock working together to write the text for the book that will inform folks from now on. This is the book you see today. And, by the way, this book has been a huge hit with architects, designers, historians and A&M graduates.

I began working with Nancy McCoy on preservation projects several years ago and have loved every moment of it. Nancy worked on National Historic Landmarks including Kansas City’s Union Station, Fair Park in Dallas and of course SCP Vosper’s buildings at Texas A&M among others. She also studied Preservation Architecture with David Woodcock in 1981, and later received a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in historic preservation from Columbia University in New York.

It was equally fitting that David Woodcock participate in the project—and for me a great thrill to get to know this astonishing man. As professor emeritus of architecture and director emeritus of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University, he has been an important voice for the physical campus, both with
its historic buildings and new ones for over forty years. David received the Clara Driscoll Award from Preservation Texas and lifetime achievement awards from the National Council for Preservation Education, and the Association for Preservation Technology International. David is indeed a legend and a very precious asset at Texas A&M University.

Carolyn Brown, ADEX, March 2020