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About Us

The Boise Architecture Project (BAP) is a student-directed new media project focused on architectural history and preservation in the Treasure Valley.    In partnership with Preservation Idaho, the BAP is assisting PI in its goal of preserving Idaho's historic and cultural resources through education and advocacy.   BAP Director Doug StanWiens is currently on the PI Board and acts as the head of PI's Education Committee.

The Boise Architecture Project started in the spring of 2006 as a final assignment for Doug StanWiens’ AP U.S. History course at Timberline High School and has expanded into a student-directed preservation project featuring a website, volunteerism, and architectural and historical research. The project is currently located at historic Boise High School but the project continues to be active around the Treasure Valley in several elementary and secondary school classrooms. Boise has a wonderful diverse collection of architecture and our students have found that studying local architecture and history coincided well with their studies.

The main part of the project is the student programmed website at boisearchitecture.org where pictures, architectural descriptions, and building history can be found for over 250 buildings in Boise ranging from over a century-old to brand-new. Students detail their selected building by taking a collection of photos, conducting an interview, and writing a research paper. They post photos and a short summary of the building’s history and architectural style on the BAP website. The BAP also includes conducting architecture walks, blogging, documentary film making, volunteering for local history related events, and working with local preservation organizations.

The main goals of the project are for students to learn about local history, understand and appreciate different architectural styles and their connection to history, and contribute their research to the community of Boise. As an extension of the classes, students study architecture, acquire historical knowledge of their city, and meet a variety of folks in our neighborhoods. The BAP is also a digital education project. Students learn important project skills such as architectural photography, oral interview techniques, and digital project management through participating in the BAP. The website is almost completely student programmed and students have the responsibility for creating each building’s page. BAP students also manage the project’s Facebook and Flickr sites and have contributed blogs for the National Trust for Historic Preservation website under Teaching Preservation.

Special thanks goes to the inspiration of Professor Robert "Bungalow Bob" Winter who taught the L.A. Architecture course at Occidental College in 1989. We'll never forget those arches! And also thanks to Gary Thomsen, Sports Marketing teacher at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle for providing the inspiration for student neighborhood projects and local history research.

 

Boise Architecture Project has been honored with the following awards:

  • Preservation Idaho Orchid Award Winner for Cultural Heritage Preservation
  • American Association of State and Local History Award of Merit Recipient

Thanks to the following groups and individuals for supporting the BAP!

  • Preservation Idaho
  • The Idaho Humanities Council
  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Boise Education Association
  • Boise City Arts and History Department
  • Barbara Bauer and Elizabeth Jacox at TAG Historical Consulting
  • Boise High School
  • Idaho State Historical Society
  • Idaho State Historic Preservation Office: Tricia Canaday and Shelby Day
  • Center for Idaho History and Politics: Todd Shallat
  • Dan Hollar at the Boise School District
  • Various home owners, architects, and building managers

The BAP is an education project, not a commercial site. All pictures on this website were taken by BAP participants unless otherwise noted. Student research was compiled from interviews with building owners, architects, and/or occupants, with help from preservation experts in the community. We try our best to do quality research but we cannot guarantee the veracity of our oral and historical research. If you see an inaccuracy, please help us by emailing BAP advisor Doug StanWiens at info@boisearchitecture.org.