Kathryn Welch Howe, President of KWH Associates, Inc.

Kathryn Welch Howe is President of KWH Associates, Inc., a preservation and adaptive reuse planning firm. Kathryn’s innovative planning work created the successful revitalization of Los Angeles Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, New York’s Grand Central Terminal, Boston’s Old City Hall, Washington D.C. Old Post Office, Cleveland Arcade, Asheville, NC Grove Arcade, Baltimore City Hall, and Weehawken Water Tower.

Kathryn’s adaptive reuse work for public and private clients is at the nexus of historic preservation and community development. KWH Associates works with diverse shareholders and goals to identify viable uses that have market strength, community support and high standards.  Seeing buildings as dynamic elements in urban life, her work integrates rather than siloes architecture, economics, preservation and community revitalization.

Kathryn has worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation as Vice President Regional Programs and Northeast Regional Director; with Goldman Sachs as Vice President, Investment Banking; and the J.Paul Getty Trust, Getty Conservation Institute.

She is an author of A Richer Heritage, the graduate-level textbook for historic preservation and other publications. Kathryn serves on the executive committee of Scenic America, Inc. and the Southern California Committee, Trust for Public Land. She is a past president of the Los Angeles Conservancy and former member of the California Heritage Preservation Commission.  

Awards, Civil Leadership and Publications

Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation. Survey LA. 2017

California Preservation Foundation President’s Award. SurveyLA. 2017

California Preservation Foundation Preservation Design Award. SurveyLA FIGGS (Field Guide Survey System) 2011

Association of Women in Architecture Foundation Award. SurveyLA & Historic Preservation in Los Angeles. 2017

City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation. Kathryn Welch Howe. 2019