In Dr. Margarita Jerabek’s view, rapid technological innovation and social change are reshaping cities, communities, and the very fabric of the spaces people inhabit. As digital design tools, new construction materials, and ambitious urban developments elevate the architectural environment, she points to the urgent challenge of maintaining a connection to humanity and cultural heritage.
As an architectural historian and historic preservation consultant, Dr. Jerabek has dedicated over 35 years to navigating this balance, guiding developers, municipalities, and communities in managing change while preserving the cultural and historical significance of architecture. Her expertise is emboldened by a bachelor’s degree in Art History, a master’s in Architectural History, deep expertise in historic preservation, and a PhD in Art History, specializing in architecture, theory, criticism, and urbanism. Over nearly four decades, she has worked across the US on projects ranging from historic urban districts to iconic cultural landmarks.
According to Dr. Jerabek, her work as an architectural historian and historic preservation consultant is informed by her years of scholarship and practical guidance. Central to Dr. Jerabek’s philosophy is the understanding that preservation does not oppose progress but rather manages change in a way that can honor history and heritage while embracing the future.
“Historic preservation projects often involve managing change in a manner that involves adaptively reusing historic resources in a meaningful way that allows for their contemporary use,” she explains. Her approach ensures that redevelopment projects retain historical integrity while evolving to meet contemporary needs, demonstrating that adaptive reuse can be a dynamic process rather than a restrictive one.
She points to her work at The Culver Studios in Culver City, California. Established in 1918 as a silent film studio, with glass stages, it was later adapted in the 1920s to accommodate movies being filmed on sound stages and has been recently renovated to meet the demands of the contemporary entertainment industry. She highlights that the site has undergone significant transformations over the past century, from the construction of sound stages to accommodate talking pictures to the integration of digital filmmaking technology used by major studios today. “My team and I ensured that the studio’s historical essence was preserved despite these retrofits,” she notes, emphasizing that to her, the key was to maintain the architectural and cultural markers that connect the site to its cinematic heritage.
“Technology changes the world, but it’s important to preserve the history, because it connects us to our roots and allows us to make informed decisions for the future,” she notes. In her view, historic preservation extends beyond architectural or aesthetic value. It is deeply tied to people’s identity and cultural memory.
Dr. Jerabek is actively working to preserve the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Queen Mary, permanently berthed in Long Beach. “The RMS Queen Mary is an iconic symbol of human civilization,” she notes. Dr. Jerabek and her team documented the art and artifact collections aboard the ship and prepared a Conservation Management Plan, adopted by the City of Long Beach. She is currently a board member of QMI, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the ship.
She believes that understanding and engaging with the past empowers communities to shape their present environment and assert their voices. “It’s important for our community identity. Unless we take hold of it, our history becomes someone else’s story,” she observes. This perspective informs not only her consultancy work but also her educational efforts, as she seeks to inspire younger generations to take ownership of their own history and stories.
“One of my goals is to empower younger people to have a voice in shaping their own communities and become advocates for preservation and cultural heritage,” she says, emphasizing that when people understand the stories embedded in their built environment, they gain the agency to influence development decisions. They also become advocates for cultural heritage and contribute to a more nuanced and inclusive historical narrative.
Dr. Jerabek’s career also highlights the importance of historical awareness during periods of social and technological upheaval. She draws parallels between contemporary shifts in urban planning, construction, and digital technology with historical movements in architecture, noting that integrating new materials and techniques has long been a driver of change. With that view, she continues to frame preservation within these historical contexts, helping communities recognize patterns of transformation and continuity while reinforcing the relevance of heritage in shaping the future.
Ultimately, Dr. Jerabek’s work exemplifies the enduring value of historic preservation in an increasingly tech-driven world. By thoughtfully managing change and integrating heritage into contemporary practice, she demonstrates that preservation, at its core, is about sustaining identity, empowering communities, and ensuring that the decisions made today are inspired by the human values that sustain us.
In a time of rapid technological and social evolution, Dr. Margarita Jerabek’s message lies in the understanding that preserving architecture is essential to shaping a meaningful, connected, and culturally grounded future.
