Timeless Design for Houses: Talk #10

Talk #10

10th Commandment: What's so Special About Scenic Highway 30A? - Seaside's Roots & Reach

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Naper Blvd Library Program Room
2035 S Naper Blvd
Naperville, IL 60565

That beach town is Seaside, FL. Its founders traveled the South documenting how and why traditional buildings and towns worked successfully in the past, created a model-based building code to guide architects and contractors, then put the plan into action.  Today, after 40-plus years of ongoing development, Seaside has become a globally recognized destination and a source of inspiration for many town planners, architects, and contractors.

The takeaway – town planners, architects, and contractors need inspiration in a physical form (not just photos) of historic buildings and towns worthy of preservation if there is any hope of improving our built environment.  Seaside was inspired by historic buildings and towns, with many others now looking to Seaside (imagine that!) as their inspiration.  Historic preservation isn’t just about saving old buildings…it’s a path toward economic development with lasting value. 

This was our final Talk of a ten-part series Commandments of Timeless Design for Houses of Any Age!

Walk the Talk  #10

On Saturday October 24th, Tom took folks on a short walking tour to see firsthand how preservation has impacted the economic development of Naperville’s Historic District.

5 Calls to Action for Economic Development using Historic Preservation

1. Protect buildings worthy of preservation as inspiration for town planners, architects and contractors.

2. Document (drawings, maps and photographs) what makes those buildings unique and valuable.

3. Publish your findings and make them available to local government officials (even if no-one asks).

4. Create ‘what-if’ scenarios of endangered buildings worthy of preservation (even if no-one asks).

5. Publicly recognize building owners (past and present) willing to take on historic preservation projects.

Sources of Inspiration

Book: “Why you Need this Book” and Chapter 1 of “Get Your House Right” by Marianne Cusato & Ben Pentreath.. Available Locally at Anderson’s Bookshop.

Online: Seaside Institute: “How a Florida Beach Town Changed How We Live”