Our program featured Architect Brett Webber who has been using his skills in adaptive reuse and restoration on projects in and around the Philadelphia area since the year 2000. The projects can be residential or commercial, but they all share a common goal: design that helps save resources and the planet. He believes that less technology is better and instead prefers building “smart”. Space limitations often force him to be creative to maximize every square inch. Each building is unique, and he tries to capitalize on the strengths of the existing structure. Some of his creations serve as prototypes that are then copied by others.
His aim is to bring this type of style to the City of Easton. He has ideas to upgrade the State Theatre with a visual arts exhibition space and possibly a restaurant area. There might be an opportunity to bring movies back to the big stage. Brett believes that our parks are underutilized. We have 1,000 acres of parks and most are unprogrammed. Perhaps a cohesive park initiative along the waterfront area would extend to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail.
His current focus is on the restoration of the Colonel Hooper House located on the corner of Northampton and 5th Streets. Colonel Hooper served with George Washington and was a local surveyor. The home dates back at least to the 1760s, shortly after Easton’s founding in 1752. A condition assessment of the property is underway, and it is likely the property needs considerable reconstruction. Some of the stone and wood have been replaced but some timbers are original. Dendrochronologists are dating the wood using small samples bored out of the beams.
The City of Easton is working on the project with the restoration group. The priority is to stabilize the façade, enclose the former retail space, and restore the envelope in time for the semi quincentennial in 2026. Eventually the hope is for independent ownership as this piece of history takes its rightful place in the downtown cultural district.
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