Arica-Parinacota, Chile
NORMA BARBACCI RESUME
Historic Preservation Consultant – Program Director – Project Manager
CORE COMPETENCIES
Architecture • Historic Preservation • Cultural Heritage • Project Management • Team Building • Problem Solving • Creative Thinking • Fluent Spanish
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Managed over 100 historic preservation projects with a total budget exceeding $30M.
Envisioned and implemented holistic preservation programs for historic monuments and sites in 17 countries.
Organized international preservation workshops and conferences in 8 countries.
Identified and implemented dozens of opportunities for young people in crafts training, careers in preservation, and technical exchanges in Chile, Haiti, Mexico, and Peru.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Norma Barbacci Preservation Consultants, LLC, New York, NY (2017/Present)
Historic Preservation Consultant
Provided project coordination for training and documentation projects in Mexico, Ecuador and Peru, for Cyark (October 2021-Ongoing).
Supported research and packaging of several pilot projects in Latin America, for the Cultural Heritage Finance Alliance CHiFA (2020-Ongoing).
Team Leader in Technical Assistance project financed by the European Union in Peru: “Public-Private Alliance on Cultural Heritage” resulting in the development of (2) Cultural Routes in Lima and the organization of (5) workshops/seminars on private participation in the management of cultural heritage (January-August 2021).
Organized a symposium on Public-Private Management of Cultural Heritage in Lima-Peru and helped identify heritage sites to be rehabilitated by the European Union on the occasion of the Bicentennial of the independence of Peru (2019).
Identified possible historic preservation projects for the World Monuments Fund (WMF) in Cuba and represented WMF in the coordination of the rehabilitation project of the Santa Clara Convent in Havana, in collaboration with the Office of the Historian of Havana (OHCH). Co-organized the symposium: “Against the Current: Priorities & Pathways for Supporting Preservation in Havana” (2018-2021).
Advised the Inter-American Development Bank and the Ministry of Culture of Suriname on the prioritization of interventions within the Urban Rehabilitation Program of Paramaribo (2018).
Collaborated with Transworld Explorations S.A. in the development of a Public Use Plan for the Camino de Cruces National Park, Panama (2017).
Assessed the existing conditions and helped develop a plan of priority interventions for the rehabilitation and development of the Bunce Island archaeological site in Sierra Leone, for the Landmarks Conservancy of New York (2017).
Provided technical support to the Inter-American Development Bank and the National Institute of Culture of Panama on the conservation and management of the Fortifications of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, Panama (2016-2017).
Yale School of Architecture, New Haven, CT (January-May 2020)
Robert A. M. Stern Visiting Professor
Developed and taught an Advanced Master of Architecture Studio at Yale University, based on the Ladeira da Misericórdia historic site in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil (Spring Semester 2020).
World Monuments Fund, New York, NY (2001/2017)
Program Director
Managed an average of 30 projects annually, with a total budget exceeding $20M.
Organized international preservation meetings including: Heritage Conservation in South America (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Jesuit-Guaraní Missions of South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay), Meeting of Experts for the Rehabilitation of American Fortifications (Mexico), Italian Tuff Towns Symposium (Italy), Georgetown International Heritage Conference (Guyana), and Architectural Shelters in Archaeological Contexts (Guatemala, Mexico, Peru), and “Hablemos de la Habana” planning workshop (Cuba).
Developed a comprehensive scope of work and team for the holistic preservation of the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, Peru, and the surrounding historic town. Project included establishing a training program for local youth.
Envisioned and implemented learning and work opportunities for young people in traditional building crafts, conservation, and management, in Chile, Haiti, Mexico, and Peru.
Managed successful conservation projects at several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including: the Alhambra, El Escorial, and Segovia Aqueduct in Spain; the Capitanes Generales Palace, in Antigua Guatemala; the Churches of Chiloé, and Archaeological Sites of Easter Island in Chile; Teotihuacan and Monte Alban in Mexico; Historic Center of Lima in Peru; Historic Center of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil; and the Caribbean Fortifications of Panama.
Participated in the selection of projects, identified funding strategies, and developed advocacy opportunities for hundreds of heritage sites.
Presented in Spanish and English at over 50 conferences, symposiums and workshops globally.
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, LLC, New York, NY (1989/2001)
Senior Project Manager / Associate / Studio Director
Managed a variety of architectural, preservation, adaptive re-use and conservation projects, including the award-winning Henry Luce III Center for American Culture, the façade and roof restoration, the first-floor reorganization, and the design and construction of accessible ramp, at the New York Historical Society Museum.
Coordinated design teams and consultants, developed and managed budgets, and supervised all phases of construction, ensuring project goals were fully met in a timely and proactive manner, for the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Museum, the Heschel School, and Williamsburg Bridge projects.
Prepared feasibility studies, building surveys and documentation, master plans, conservation assessments, and construction documents for several projects at Yale University, including feasibility study for restoration and re-use of fire-damaged Davies Mansion and master plan for restoration of the Yale Bowl.
Maintained full compliance with mandates to preserve the historic value of buildings, while ensuring project was completed to the full satisfaction of the client, for the adaptive reuse, façade restoration, and salvage of decorative plaster elements at the Ford Center for Performing Arts.
Selected projects and responsibilities include:
Preservation Architect for several projects at New York’s Grand Central Terminal as part of a major restoration and retail redevelopment initiative.
Project Manager for the restoration of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD.
Preservation Architect for the interior restoration, mural conservation, design of new liturgical elements, and exterior additions to the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
EDUCATION
1987 - Columbia University, New York, NY
Master of Science in Historic Preservation – Design Concentration
Summer 1983 - Universitá per Stranieri di Perugia, Italy
Italian Language and Culture
1983 - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Architecture
LANGUAGES
Fluent in Spanish and English, Intermediate Italian
AWARDS
2001 Merit Award by the New York Landmarks Conservancy for the Henry Luce III Center for American Culture Project
1987 Historic Preservation Thesis Award at Columbia University
1983-84 Honor Student at Carnegie-Mellon University
1983 AIA School Medal and Certificate from the Adams Fund for Excellence in the Study of Architecture at Carnegie-Mellon University
ORGANIZATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS
Columbia University Preservation Alumni
US / ICOMOS
Preservation Committee of the Municipal Arts Society, NYC
Co-Founder of Northeast Chapter of Civita di Bagnoregio Institute
Board Member of Friends of Havana