Panel: Yes, In Your Backyard: How Accessory Dwelling Units are Compatible in Historic Districts
A virtual presentation hosted by the Cleveland Park Historical Society and DC Preservation League
Join us for a Zoom presentation exploring how Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), including basement apartments, backyard cottages, and garage conversions, can be thoughtfully integrated into historic districts. This program will focus on the idea that preservation and change can work together to support a more inclusive and sustainable city.
Architect Ileana Schinder will begin by defining what qualifies as an ADU and explaining the different types homeowners might consider. Drawing on her expertise navigating zoning and working with the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), she will walk through the process of designing and gaining approval for ADUs.
Todd Jones of the Historic Preservation Office at the DC Office of Planning will provide an overview of the common ways that ADUs appear in historic districts, how preservation guidelines apply, and how HPO evaluates proposals to ensure compatibility with existing historic resources.
Whether you’re a homeowner considering an ADU, a preservation advocate, or interested in how DC can grow thoughtfully, this conversation will offer valuable guidance and a fresh perspective on how we can say “yes” to both history and housing.
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Ileana Schinder is an architect in Washington, DC. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Architecture from Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina, 2000) and an M.A. in Communications from the American University (Washington DC, 2006).
Inspired to become an architect at the age of four by playing with Legos on the floor, she remains motivated to design houses of all sizes 40 years later. Since opening her architecture studio in 2014, with creativity and innovation, she has designed additional dwelling units that create new spaces for clients and their families to thrive.
As part of her efforts to educate the public on housing issues, Ileana has also written in blogs and held sessions to inspire and promote innovative models of home. Ileana is the author of “Housing for Humans: A Book to Imagine, Create and Design a New Housing Model in America” (Panoma Press, 2021).
Ileana was born and raised in Argentina. She lives in Washington, DC, with her family and her dog, Colette.
Todd Jones has worked at the DC Historic Preservation Office since 2020, where he has conducted project reviews, historical research, and preservation planning. He previously worked as a historical researcher and as a Historic Preservation Specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the New England region. He is originally from Connecticut and earned a master’s degree in public history from Central Connecticut State University.
