Cleveland Architecture Foundation

CAF Events & Activities

Cleveland Architecture Foundation 2024 Speaker Series

I. Levi T. Schofield Initiative:

With the Cleveland Grays Armory, CAF co-sponsored a lecture presentation in February 2020 at Gray’s Armory by Athens, Ohio historian Thomas O’Grady on the life and work of Cleveland architect Levi Turner Scofield. A professor at Ohio University, O’Grady is also Executive Director of the Southeast Ohio History Center.

O’Grady’s presentation stirred interest in Scofield and his work, and illustrated the need for additional research and documentation to produce a comprehensive portrait with adequate depth and quality for publication.

The Cleveland Architecture Foundation functions as catalyst to unite interest in architecture, architects and our culture. As an sample pilot project, CAF is assisting O’Grady to take his project further by improving the digital resources and products so the work can be shared with a broader public and future generations.

Our goals related to the legacy of Levi Scofield are as follows:
  1. Identify and catalog the known resources available to researchers on the subject of Levi Scofield
  2. Facilitate the prioritization and digitization of the graphic evidence of his work, some of which exists in storage at the Western Reserve Historical Society, other that has yet to be identified
  3. Identify, catalog and document the remaining architectural works of the architect and sculptor through measured drawings and photography
  4. Facilitate the presentation of research by Scofield scholars
  5. Present the results of the archival digitalization that we see as a core product of the Cleveland Architectural Foundation, resulting perhaps in an exhibition and printed publication.


II. NEOH Jewish Architecture:

The quality of Jewish architecture in NEOH, while not neglected, is a subject lacking in comprehensive and appropriate public awareness. Yet the works indicate an interesting history and a clear tracing of the profound shift in modern architecture as the Bauhaus and International Style movements came to America.

Due to the high number of original small synagogues in the city that grew and were relocated to a wider trajectory to accommodate congregational growth, a comprehensive assessment is a monumental task.

We have appointed a committee to assess the subject and identify alternative presentation subjects to develop. Our committee is evaluating the merits of a series of presentations/ essays of Jewish architects and/or architecture that tells the stories of the evolution of the Jewish community’s design culture as American architecture evolved.

Sponsors will be sought for the series so that student interns can assist with the research required and documentation needed for a responsible presentation (JCF, Maltz, etc.).

Presentations should also be developed as illustrated narratives in PDF formats that can be accessed through the CAF web site.

III. Ohio City History Initiative:

In his work, living and practice, David Ellison has a comprehensive knowledge of the history of Ohio City that he is willing to share. The community’s origin and development, particularly after WWII, present an interesting and important storyboard for all residents and students to understand the dynamics of an urban neighborhood. The district’s historical vernacular is now under assault by greedy developers and politicians.

Ellison is in possession of thousands of slides from the former self-appointed ‘Mayor of Ohio City’ John Katinsky to illustrate the period of redlining and neglect. Ellison has begun work on a series of storyboards to tell the story of Ohio City up to today.

Depending upon the level of resources that can be mobilized and focused on this initiative, the results could be an exhibition and public presentation as well as bus tours. A book is also a possibility.

IV. Cleveland Neighborhood Tour Initiative:

The Cleveland Architecture Foundation envisions itself as a catalyst to unite interest in architectural culture with the people and evidence, long lost, still remaining or awaiting us in the future. In 2019, David Ellison conducted bus tours which were sponsored by Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers. The same organization has contributed monies in 2020 for additional such tours.

The our goals include:
  1. Make legible the history and architectural significance of Cleveland neighborhoods
  2. Provide an enjoyable experience for people to appreciate and celebrate Cleveland architecture
  3. Stimulate interest to develop support for other area programs on architecture and design


Given the constraints attributable to the coronavirus pandemic, CAF is evaluating developing walking tours in 2020 instead of bus tours and evaluating neighborhoods that can provide a rich architectural experience.

V. Cleveland Architects Speak Initiative:

The brief architect speaker series AIA Cleveland started a few years ago was popular. Yet AIA Cleveland cancelled the program. The format enabled architects to speak about their approach to the profession, the evolution of their career and their projects for one+ hour and field questions. The initial presenters in the AIACLE series were Ron Reed FAIA, Robert Maschke FAIA, Dave Robar and Steve Kordalski.

The Cleveland Architecture Foundation envisions itself as a catalyst to unite interest in architectural culture with the community by creating a format for different architects with different practices to present their approach and case studies of their work.

CAF has identified eight local architects of high accomplishment and is working to arrange for such a series to be initiated in 2020. The practice areas of the identified prospective participants include:

VI. Architectural/ Urban Design Lecture Series:

The Cleveland Architecture Foundation envisions itself as a catalyst to unite interest in architectural culture with the people and evidence, long lost, still remaining or awaiting us in the future. To this end, CAF is working to sponsor presentations on relevant and interesting topics. These topics can include presentations on the work of prominent architects, movements in modern or traditional architecture,

Potential presentations include:

VII. Encyclopedia of Cleveland Architecture:

At the request of the Western Reserve Historical Society and Case Western Reserve University, CAF has assumed responsibility for preparing the revised and updated Encyclopedia of Cleveland Architecture as part of the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History on the CWRU website. That content was initially developed by the late Eric Johanessen in 1987 and updated in 1996.

This work is important also because the Guide to Cleveland Architecture previously published by AIA Cleveland was last updated in 1991 by the late Robert C. Gaede FAIA.

CAF is in the process of identifying pre-1996 works for inclusion and those significant additions to the community since 1996 that merit inclusion. CAF is in the process of photographing an extensive catalog of buildings in color to render the encyclopedia more visual. In addition to narratives and vetting of individual architects and projects, narratives on neighborhoods, project types and styles of projects are being updated and expanded. Volunteers are welcome for this important and interesting project.