Nicole M. Declet

Experience

Nicole Declet specializes in material conservation and historic preservation. Ms. Declet’s work includes field investigation, building documentation, condition assessment, material analysis, and preservation recommendations. She has experience with building materials including brick, stone, terra cotta masonry, adobe, rammed earth, plaster, concrete, architectural metals, and wood.

While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Declet authored a thesis titled “Testing and Evaluation of Soil Based Grouts for the Adhesion of Consolidated and Un-Consolidated Painted Lime Plaster at the Mission San José de Tumacácori.” Prior to joining WJE, Ms. Declet was a graduate intern, followed by an associate project specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), Buildings and Sites Department. While at the GCI, she was involved with the Seismic Retrofitting Project in Cusco, Perú, and the Earthen Architecture Course held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Historic Preservation

• Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Lake Lodge - Moran, WY: Condition assessment, field investigation of concrete repairs, and report preparation *
• International Course on the Conservation of Earthen Architecture - Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE and Oman: Development of month-long conservation training course *
• Restoration of Kuñotambo Church - Cusco, Peru: Development of wall painting and documentation of heritage training course; testing of lime mortar solutions *

 

Historic Structures Studies

• Chadwell Gap, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park - Middlesboro, KY: Site investigation and mapping for cultural landscape report
• San Juan National Historic Site, Repair Lighthouse at Castillo San Felipe del Morro - San Juan, Puerto Rico: Facade assessment and recommendations for schematic design documents
• Kingsley Plantation at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve - Jacksonville, FL: Survey of former slave cabins for historic structures report

 

Materials Conservation

• Untitled Sculpture by Picasso, Daley Center - Chicago, IL: Evaluation of cleaning trials on weathering steel
• Four Seasons by Chagall - Chicago, IL: Condition assessment and cleaning of tesserae
• Marble Garden - Aspen, CO: Cleaning trials and cleaning of marble sculptures
• Mission San José de Tumacácori - Rio Rico, AZ: Material analysis, grout design, and repair implementation *
• Wupatki National Monument - Coconino County, AZ: Material analysis *
• Louis Kahn’s The Clever House: Philadelphia, PA - Assessment and conservation plan *

 

Facade Assessment

• Macy’s on State (formerly Marshall Field and Company) - Chicago, IL: Granite, glazed terra cotta, and limestone facade inspections (2019); terra cotta restoration (2020)
• Railway Exchange Building - Chicago, IL: Terra cotta and brick facade assessment
• LaSalle-Wacker Building - Chicago, IL: Limestone cladding assessment
• Harley Clarke Mansion - Evanston, IL: Facade assessment and repair recommendations

 

Repair and Rehabilitation

• The Marquette Building - Chicago, IL: Terra cotta facade and wood windows restoration
• One Prudential Plaza - Chicago, IL: Limestone facade restoration
• Old Republic Building - Chicago, IL: Terra cotta cornice and facade restoration
• KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation - Chicago, IL: Limestone and brick facade restoration
• Loyola University, Lewis Tower - Chicago, IL: Exterior facade repair and stabilization
• Bar BC Dude Ranch - Moose, WY: Restoration of log cabins *

* Indicates work with previous firms

Professional Affiliations

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), Architecture Specialty Group (ASG)
Association for Preservation Technology International (APT)
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH)

Education

University of Puerto Rico
Bachelor in Environmental Design, School of Architecture, 2015

University of Pennsylvania
Master of Science, Historic Preservation, Architectural Conservation, 2017