Michael J. Ford

Experience

Michael Ford has been involved in numerous architectural preservation and repair projects since joining WJE in 2008. He contributes to projects by performing condition surveys, investigating distress conditions, and preparing repair drawings and specifications for a wide range of historic and modern materials. Mr. Ford also has extensive experience in the research for and preparation of historic structure Reports, cultural landscape Inventories, and historic American building surveys, as well as experience in performing architectural historical surveys of rural and urban districts.

In addition to his historic preservation experience, Mr. Ford has participated in and has directed several stone cladding, roofing and waterproofing, and exterior envelope investigations; has prepared construction documents for their repair; and has performed construction observation services during implementation.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Historic Preservation

• Minnesota State Capitol - St. Paul: Building investigation and assessment of stone cladding system, development of repair documents, and construction observation
• Altamont Apartments - Asheville, NC: Terra cotta cornice assessment, construction documents, and construction observation
• Farwell Building - Chicago, IL: Construction observation during the dismantlement and reconstruction of historic building facade
• Hoover Dam, Monument Plaza - Boulder City, NV: Investigation and assessment of plaza and development of repair specifications and drawings

 

Historic Structures Studies

• Everglades National Park - Flamingo, FL: Building investigation and assessment, roof investigation, and writing of historic structure reports for the Mission 66 development and Nike missile site
• Central High School National Historic Site - Little Rock, AK: Building investigation and assessment, archival research, and writing of narrative for historic structure report
• Mammoth Caves National Park - Mammoth Cave, KY: Building assessment, archival research, oral histories, and writing of cultural landscape report for the core visitor services area; historic structure report for the superintendent’s residence
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site - Roanoke Island, NC: Archival research and writing for the cultural landscape inventory
• Flat Top Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway - Blowing Rock, NC: Writing and mapping for National Register nomination
• Chadwell Gap, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park - Middlesboro, KY: Archival research, writing, and mapping for National Register determination of eligibility
• Blue Ridge Parkway - Asheville, NC: Architectural historical survey of bridges, tunnels, overlooks, and structures along the parkway
• Rural Structures Survey - Will County, IL: Architectural historical survey of farmsteads and related sites
• St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus - Washington, D.C: Archival research and writing of architectural history for historic structure reports; historic American building survey narrative
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Boston, MA: Writing of historic American building survey architectural and narrative history and archival drawings

 

Repair and Rehabilitation Design

• Terrazio Apartments - Chicago, IL: Exterior envelope assessment, document review, construction documents, and construction observation
• Altamont Apartments - Asheville, NC: Terra cotta cornice assessment, construction documents, and construction observation
• St. Pascal Catholic Church - Chicago, IL: Construction documents and construction observation

 

Roofing and Waterproofing

• Prairie State College - Chicago Heights, IL: Roof assessment, construction documents, and construction observation
• Ackerman Park Sports Complex - Glen Ellyn, IL: Roof assessment, construction documents, and construction observation

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Architects
Association for Preservation Technology
Construction History Society of America
National Trust for Historic Preservation

Registrations

Architect in IL

Education

University of Iowa
Bachelor of Science, Geography/Geology, 1996

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Architecture, Preservation, 2005