Historic Preservation & Restoration

Mr. Arnouts spent over 50 years working in architectural offices as draftsman-designer and about 40 those years as a practicing architect, and has acquired many of the skills needed to understand historic buildings and their needs. He has developed a great appreciation for craftsmanship and the accomplishments of our forefathers and has demonstrated his fascination and appreciation of the results they were able to achieve with simple hand tools and primitive means.

As the son of a European trained cabinetmaker Arnouts gained extensive experience working with tools and developed his own skills as a cabinetmaker and carpenter. Prior to obtaining his professional license in 1973 he gained additional hands-on experience while working in various construction trades.  Working with hand tools has given him a greater understanding of the practical difficulties of restoration work. Due to his past construction experience  Arnouts enjoys an excellent rapport with builders and construction tradesmen.

Due to his involvement and interest in historic preservation of buildings Mr. Arnouts earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Historic Preservation. Mr. Arnouts was a charter member of the Town of Poughkeepsie Commission. During his tenure he and his fellow board members  were instrumental in writing a preservation ordinance following the guidelines of the Preservation League of New York and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The ordinance was adopted by the Town. He has also worked to inventory the Town's historic buildings and properties. Mr. Arnouts has served on the Talbot County Maryland, Historic Preservation Commission and  currently serves on the Town of Easton Maryland, Historic District Commission.