Savannah Explores Future of Historic Architecture

Historic Savannah Foundation panel to discuss new construction in the city's historic districts.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:03am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a historic Savannah building facade, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the city's evolving architectural landscape.A bold, colorful interpretation of Savannah's historic architecture aims to capture the city's evolving design landscape.Savannah Today

The Historic Savannah Foundation is hosting a panel discussion about the future of architecture in Savannah's historic districts. The panel will explore the opportunities and constraints of designing new buildings in the city's historic areas and whether the review process can evolve to produce more thoughtful construction that contributes to Savannah's architectural legacy.

Why it matters

As Savannah continues to see new development across its historic neighborhoods, there are growing concerns about preserving the city's unique architectural character. This panel discussion aims to find the right balance between honoring the past and allowing for thoughtful modern design.

The details

The panel, titled 'Designing the Next Layer of History: New Architecture in Savannah's Historic Districts,' will be moderated by Ellen Harris of Ethos Preservation and include local architects Shedrick Coleman, Neil Dawson, and Patrick Phelps. Coleman is a member of Savannah's Historic District Board of Review, which oversees new construction in the historic downtown.

  • The panel discussion will take place at 6 p.m. on April 16, 2026.
  • The event is part of the Historic Savannah Foundation's 2026 lecture series.

The players

Historic Savannah Foundation

A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Savannah's architectural and cultural heritage.

Ellen Harris

Moderator of the panel discussion and representative of Ethos Preservation.

Shedrick Coleman

Architect and member of Savannah's Historic District Board of Review.

Neil Dawson

Architect at LS3P, a local firm that has worked on projects in Savannah's historic districts.

Patrick Phelps

Architect at Hansen Architects, another local firm with experience in Savannah's historic areas.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to host this distinguished panel of local architects and preservationists for our April HSF Lecture. We cordially invite the community to join us for an important discussion about new construction in Savannah's historic districts.”

— Collier Neeley, President and CEO, Historic Savannah Foundation

What’s next

The Historic Savannah Foundation's panel discussion on the future of architecture in the city's historic districts will take place on April 16, 2026.

The takeaway

As Savannah continues to evolve, this panel discussion aims to find ways for new construction to thoughtfully integrate with the city's rich architectural heritage and preserve the unique character of its historic neighborhoods.