Gretchen Pfaehler, FAIA, serves as Architectural Historian on the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). Gretchen Pfaehler, FAIA, is a Preservation Architect at InSite Consulting Architects in Washington DC. As the former Chair of the DC HPRB and former President of the Association For Preservation Technology (APT) International, Ms. Pfaehler has played a key role in the landscape of high profile preservation projects in Washington DC. She has 33 years of experience in the successful preservation, restoration, and renovation of significant historic and cultural properties domestically and abroad for a diverse array of clients including the U.S. Department of State, Architect of the Capitol, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, U.S. General Services Administration, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Her experience with historic buildings provides a solid understanding of the requirements for determination of significant building elements and developing sustainable design solutions integrating new uses that maintain the historic character of the building. Knowledgeable on the issues of preservation project delivery methods, her expertise includes technical building documentation and assessments, integration of sustainable solutions and building material treatments, preservation laws, and review processes and regulations from the federal to local level. She is experienced with review, approvals and documentation with federal and state regulatory and review commissions. Gretchen has practiced, lectured, and published extensively on historic preservation and sustainability within the existing building context. Her work has been recognized with more than 53 national, regional, state and local preservation awards. She is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the American Association for State and Local History.
Ms. Pfaehler served as HPRB Chair for four years, 2012-2016.
Term
Ms. Pfaehler was appointed in 2012, reappointed in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2024. Her current term ends July 21, 2027.