Nina Caruso

Director of Historic Preservation Services

Nina Caruso joined R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A. (RJHA) in 2022 as Director of Historic Preservation Services. Prior to joining RJHA, Nina worked at one of Connecticut’s leading historic preservation firms for eight-years. Nina received her Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Roger Williams University, Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Technology from the University of Hartford, and Associates in Arts from Miami Dade College. Nina has over a decade of experience and is skilled in many different aspects of historic preservation which include the preparation of state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits and grant applications, research, local designation reports, National Register Nominations, conditions assessments and associated costs estimates, designing and recommending preservation treatment methods, construction documents, and advocacy. She has worked on a variety of project types including mill/warehouse conversion to multi-family housing, residential, schools, museums, churches, and commercial buildings.

Nina is dedicated to preserving our collective architectural and cultural heritage and is committed to serving the community that inspired and encouraged her to become a preservation professional. She excels at problem solving and bringing people together to work toward a common goal, and understands the importance of working closely with regulatory agencies like Preservation Commissions, State Historic Preservation Offices and the National Park Service to ensure successful outcomes.

Her proudest accomplishments include receiving the Mimi Findlay Award for Young Preservationists from Preservation Connecticut in 2021, an Association for Preservation Technology International – Certificate of Appreciation for Miami Conference Planning Member, Field Session Coordinator in 2019 and the AIA Connecticut Emerging Professional Award in 2018, which she was recognized for making significant contributions to the field of architecture through her historic preservation work and tireless advocacy.