Welcome to Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association
BAHA and the Landmark Commission were created in 1974 by the same group of people.
To educate the community to encourage and to secure the preservation and conservation of those structures, sites and areas which have special architectural, historic or aesthetic value contributing to the enrichment of the Berkeley environment and to the understanding of its heritage.
2025/2026
My appreciation of historic architecture and preservation started early, as my artist mother and engineer father both were involved in preservation projects in my North Carolina hometown. Graduate studies in art history brought me to U.C. Berkeley, where my doctoral emphasis was medieval architecture. Remaining in Berkeley, I taught art history at California College of the Arts and explored Bay Area architecture through a ten-year seminar, “The Arts and Crafts Movement for Architects and Designers.” In 2014 I joined the BAHA Board, where I have served as Secretary, on several committees, and as Co-chair of the spring 2025 house tour.
My best memories of BAHA—the things that drew me to the organization—are of the house tours. I have loved the tours since 2008, and once on the Board, I have had the opportunity to write several articles for the tour brochures. I think the most memorable one for me was on the anniversary of the 1923 Berkeley Fire, for which I wrote an analysis of Henry Gutterson’s Second Church of Christ Scientist (Spruce Street). It was great fun to study that medieval revival building complex in depth using the tools of my doctoral training in medieval architectural history.
Kevin Kaatz is the Director of General Education and Professor of History at CSU East Bay in Hayward, CA. While normally teaching ancient world courses, I co-published a book on local history involving Japanese American internees who were flower-growers during World War Two (from Redwood City). When I am not teaching, I am active in writing grants and preserving BAHA’s archival materials. Last year I was BAHA’s President.
My favorite memories about BAHA are meeting lots of our members at the house tours (I am sometimes at the book stall or helping to get people organized to go on the tour) and our annual presentations where we always have fantastic speakers.
Preservation Committee
Archives Committee (ad hoc)
Capital Improvement Committee
House Tour Committee