Meet Our Faculty: Suzanna Barucco

Professor Barucco teaches in the historic preservation program in the College of Architecture and the Built Environment, and works as a Principal at sbk + partners, LLC. She also is a consultant in historic preservation.

What’s your role at Jefferson?

At Jefferson, I teach Adaptive Reuse and Urban Regeneration, a studio course where students gain experience designing a new program for an existing building while preserving its historic character. I also co-teach Issues in Contemporary Preservation, a survey of changing ideas about historic preservation over time and cultures, and Restoration and Rehabilitation of Modernist Buildings, a course where students bring together research, documentation, assessment and planning to chart a path for the future use/preservation/rehabilitation of a mid-century modern building. 

I also serve as an advisor to the Center for the Preservation of Modernism at Jefferson. In 2021 the Center published Emergence of a Modern Dwelling: Richard Neutra’s Hassrick House, a book for which I share editing credit with Suzanne Singletary, Director of the Center and Director of the MS in Historic Preservation Program at Jefferson. The following year I participated in planning for a symposium and workshop on the preservation of modern buildings as part of the national Docomomo (documentation and conservation of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement) conference convened in Philadelphia in 2022. 

What do you do outside of Jefferson?

My professional work covers a broad range and includes documentary research and writing for National Register nominations, condition assessments, preservation plans, and design documents and construction administration primarily for exterior restoration projects. I served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board, and currently serve on the Designation Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, reviewing nominations to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. I also chair the historical commission in my township.

How long have you been at Jefferson?

I received recognition for 10 years of service at Jefferson in 2023.

What is the best part of your job?

Working with, and learning from, the students. I am energized in my teaching and in my own professional practice by their enthusiasm and ideas. 

What’s one piece of advice you give students?

Always advocate for the historic resource.

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?

I have interests beyond historic preservation! One is canning. I make and preserve my own tomato sauce, jams and other fruit recipes every summer and fall.