After a decade as a practitioner in the decorative building trades I decided to pursue a Master of Science in Historic Preservation in order to better understand the material qualities of the historic built environment. In my time at SAIC I have concentrated mainly on research into the materials, techniques, and cultural context involved in the production of historic cast stone as well as the development of digital workflows for the documentation, modelling, and reproduction of architectural ornament. After graduating I intend to build a professional career with both practical and theoretical components. In order to unite historic architectural aesthetics with state-of-the-art technology it will be necessary to define our concerns from multiple standpoints including the cultural and material origins of architectural style and the ethical implications of revival.