Dr. Kathryn Horak

Biography

Kathryn Horak is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture, specializing in Heritage Conservation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University and a Master of Historic Preservation from USC. With extensive experience in modern architecture design and the allied arts, she is recognized for her contributions to the treatment and documentation of historic places. Her award-winning projects include the Historic Structures Report for Paul Revere Williams’ Founder’s Church and restoration work at the Los Angeles Union Station. Horak has been instrumental in documenting thousands of buildings as part of SurveyLA, the city's historic resources survey, and advocates for heritage conservation standards on national and regional levels. In addition to her teaching since 2012, she has engaged students in practical applications through innovative projects, enhancing their learning experience in the preservation of cultural significance. Horak actively speaks at conferences nationwide, sharing her expertise and passion for twentieth-century built heritage. As a founding president of the Southern California chapter of Docomomo, she has made significant contributions to advocacy in the field. Her commitment to education and community engagement drives her work and influence in heritage conservation.

Research Interests