Name: Daniel Saldaña Hometown: Lima, Peru Program: Historic Preservation – Concentration: Architectural Conservation
What is your best Weitzman memory? OR Why did you choose Weitzman?
One of my best memories must be working on the documentation of a 19th-century British colonial fortification in Malaysia during my 2024 Summer Internship with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Architectural Conservation. This Penn internship allowed me to meet and team up with international experts in a multicultural city such as Penang, Malaysia. Another great memory was collaborating with Historic Preservation faculty as a graduate assistant to curate the “Concrete on Paper” exhibit at Fisher Fine Art Library about the history of concrete structures and evolution.
Why did I choose Weitzman? While looking for graduate schools and talking with many preservation professionals and scholars, they all agreed that Penn has one of the best Historic Preservation programs in the world. Its specialized curriculum acknowledges the interdisciplinary nature of the field and research opportunities. Also, the Concentrations approach is unique and very helpful to make the most of your time at Penn.
One tip to help make the transition into grad school?
After being two years in grad school, I would suggest planning your semester in advance. Keeping track of classes and submission deadlines can be overwhelming as new appointments show up. The best calendar is the one that works for you! It can be online, an app or a traditional paper calendar on your wall. Keep an eye on your schedule every week and update it if necessary. It will reduce your stress and help you to make the most of your time at Penn!
Share your favorite project from Weitzman.
One of my favorite projects is my master’s thesis which I have been working on since Fall 2024 about the study of the building technology applied on a 19th-century British colonial building in the tropical climate of Penang, Malaysia. This project encompasses my Thesis I and II classes, advised by Frank Matero and Kecia Fong. I enjoy the holistic approach of this research as it involves an extensive literature review on the architectural trends at the time, the materials employed and the people who built it, complemented by laboratory and instrumental analyses.
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