Though he died nearly a month ago, on July 15, it's important to note the passing of Paul S. Byard, a fervent historical preservationist, a noted architect, and director of the historic preservation program at Columbia University. Byard was very well-known figure in New York City preservation circles.

This is the third time in two months we have had to mourn the death of a noted preservationist. There must be something in the air this summer… I don’t know… Byard was notable for a number of reasons, not just for the spaces he helped to redesign, or for the numerous young architects he influenced, but because he was a passionate proponent of combining aspects of Modernism and historic architecture. He believed that the two things not only could co-exist nicely side by side, but also that one could complement the other in ways that nothing else could. I believe him, too…

The other thing that Byard accomplished, among the countless great things he did in NYC, was to serve for many years on the board of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, where he was instrumental in establishing the Historic Properties Fund for the boroughs of New York City. Under his watchful eye, the fund channeled some $18 million in loans into projects that affected some 200 different properties. Truly an awesome legacy, besides the numerous spaces he helped re-design.

At the time of his death, he was a partner in the firm of Platt Dovell White Architects in Manhattan. You can read all about Byard, his lengthy career, his stylish manner of dressing, and his wit, at the Architectural Record, linked to here.

-Noah Fleisher, Aug. 13, 2008