Hosted by the ICAA Louisiana Chapter | 1.5 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective
Please join the ICAA Louisiana Chapter and Brent Hull, master builder and author for a lecture and book signing at the Hermann-Grima House in New Orleans.
Built in 1831, the Hermann-Grima House is one of the most architecturally significant residences in New Orleans and a rare surviving example of Federal-Style architecture in the French Quarter. Constructed for the Hermann family and later owned by the Grima family, the house reflects the refined taste and prosperity of New Orleans’ early 19th-century Creole elite during the American period. With its beautifully designed and detailed architectural millwork and furniture, the Hermann-Grima House is not only the perfect backdrop for this lecture series, but continues to be an invaluable resource for understanding architecture, craftsmanship, and daily life in historic New Orleans.
Here, Brent Hull will be discussing how millwork was designed, manufactured, and constructed during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries through his new book Millwork: The Design and Manufacturing of Historic Millwork from 1740-1950.
This evening will begin with a cocktail reception, offering guests the opportunity to gather and enjoy conversation within the historic setting of the Hermann-Grima House. During this time, copies of Brent’s book will be available for purchase. The reception will be followed with a lecture by Hull. Following the lecture, guests are invited to remain for a book signing and continued conversation with the author, extending the evening in the spirit of shared inquiry, craftsmanship, and architectural tradition.
Speaker:
Brent Hull is a nationally recognized master builder, author, and authority on historic architectural millwork and classical design. He is the founder and owner of Hull Millwork and Hull Homes, based in Fort Worth, Texas, firms known for museum-quality craftsmanship and historically informed restoration and new construction. Hull was trained in historic preservation at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, one of the nation’s most respected institutions for traditional building crafts. His work is rooted in the study of classical proportion, historic precedent, and pre-industrial construction methods, with particular emphasis on the design and execution of architectural millwork. Over the course of his career, Hull and his firm have received multiple John Staub Awards for classical architecture in craftsmanship and historic restoration, as well as Palladio Awards recognizing excellence in traditional design and building. In addition to his professional practice, Hull is a sought-after lecturer and educator, speaking nationally on the subjects of millwork, moldings, proportion, and the classical language of architecture. In 2025, Hull authored Millwork: The Design and Manufacturing of Historic Millwork from 1740–1950, published by Wiley, further establishing his role as a leading voice in the preservation and understanding of historic building traditions.
This event is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website or contact the Chapter directly for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
1) Promote healthy indoor environmental quality through specifying millwork that addresses material toxicity, moisture management, and long-term durability in both historic preservation and new construction.
2) Ensure occupant safety through proper material specification and detailing of elements such as handrails, door assemblies, and window assemblies that are adapted to meet contemporary life-safety codes while preserving architectural integrity.
3) Preserve community identity and cultural continuity through the design and execution of historically accurate and appropriate millwork in both historic renovations and new construction in historic contexts.
4) Assess the performance characteristics of wood species, joinery methods, and fabrication techniques in relation to structural integrity, fire behavior, moisture resilience, and maintenance cycles, enabling informed specification decisions that protect occupants and extend building lifespans.