Historic Preservation & Sustainability
Older and historic buildings comprise more than half of the existing buildings in the United States. Retention and adaptive reuse of these buildings preserves the materials, embodied energy, and human capital already expended in their construction. The recycling of buildings is one of the most beneficial “green” practices, and stresses the importance and value of historic preservation in the overall promotion of sustainability.
The historic preservation community applauds the development of the sustainable design movement, but has had concerns that standardized tools such as the LEED Green Building Rating System are lacking in how they address historic properties. Specifically, these standards overlook the impact of projects on cultural value; do not effectively consider the performance, longer service lives and embodied energy of historic materials and assemblies; and are overly focused on current or future technologies, neglecting how past experience helps to determine sustainable performance.
The State Historic Preservation Office promotes energy and resource conservation in historic buildings and believes this can be accomplished responsibly without compromising the qualities that define their intrinsic historic character. This resource document intends to further the discussion and provide examples of sustainability in preservation.
The 2007 National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers's (NCSHPO) Annual Meeting included a squaretable discussion on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). PowerPoint presentations addressing preservation and sustainability are accessible below:
Sustainability & Historic Preservation: Lessons Learned (PPT-PDF), National Park Service, Technical Preservation Services
The Sustainable Preservation Coalition: Determining a Joint "Green Strategy" (PPT-PDF)
USGBC/LEED and Historic Buildings (PPT-PDF), U.S. Green Building Council
National Trust for Historic Preservation – Sustainability
Provides additional links to News, Research, and Case Studies regarding historic preservation and sustainability as well as Green Home Tips
Whole Building Design Guide – Sustainable Historic Preservation
Provides extensive information and links on a wide range of preservation, sustainability, and building-related guidance, criteria, and technology
"What Replacement Windows Can't Replace: The Real Cost of Removing Historic Windows"
Walter Sedovic & Jill H. Gotthelf, APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, Volume 36, April 2005
"That Old Building May Be the Greenest on the Block"
AIArchitect, February 8, 2008
"A Natural Connection - Sustainable Design and Historic Preservation”
AIA COTEnotes, Spring 2007
"Sustainability, Smart Growth, and Historic Preservation"
Speech by Donovan D. Rypkema, Principal of PlaceEconomics (Historic Districts Council Annual Conference, New York City, March 10, 2007)
“Green Recommendations for Historic Rehabilitation and Urban Infill”
Wabash Valley Trust for Historic Preservation (Indiana)