Emily Wadhams of The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States explains how the preservation of historic sights and the idea of sustainable building go hand in hand.
 | Emily Wadhams, Vice President for Public Policy, NTHP"Historic buildings are green by nature because recycling and reusing our buildings of all ages avoids the carbon impact of new construction" (Photo: NTHP) |
How do you use modern green building features when you are trying to preserve architectural heritage?
Green building features can be very successfully incorporated into historic buildings. Historic buildings constructed prior to World War II already incorporated many energy-saving features, for example wide over hanging eaves, transoms above doors, louvered doors, shutters, awnings, windows, and doors placed to provide cross ventilation. Also, thick masonry walls that retain heat in winter and keep buildings cool in summer are all good examples.
Taking into consideration the positioning of the building with the correct exposure to sun and shade also conserves energy. Historic buildings are green by nature because recycling and reusing our buildings of all ages avoids the carbon impact of new construction.
Are there any concrete examples?
Many historic buildings across the country have gone green. The Portland Armory in Portland, Oregon and the Administration Building at President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington DC, are two examples of LEED certified buildings.
(N.B.: The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System provides third-party verification that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy. It measures aspects of the design, construction, and operation of buildings in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.)
 | Administration Building at President Lincoln's Cottage, Washington DCOne of the preserved historic sights of the NTHP - an example for "green" rebuilding. Click to see the interior (Photo: NTHP) |
Isn’t it expensive to retrofit older buildings with green features?
There are many low cost ways to retrofit older buildings with green features. Taking basic steps to increase energy efficiency like increasing insulation, weatherization, and caulking doors and windows are key to reducing energy use.
What is your recommended first step towards retrofitting?
The first thing we recommend is an energy audit. Every building is different and should be assessed individually. Find out where the building needs to be tightened up - is it the basement or the roof or both? The solution for a wood-sided building may not be the same one clad in brick, for example.
It's not always necessary to use new products if the old ones are still good. Wood windows are a prime example. Do the research to find sustainable insulation and retrofitting products such as storm windows, weather-stripping and caulking. Insulate, insulate, insulate! But do it in a way that is right for your building.
In how far does retrofitting then differ from building new green houses?
Recycling older buildings means you're already ahead of the game! New building and manufacturing creates more carbon emissions than recycling and reusing buildings that are already in existence.
Use what you can and spend money on key items that will get you the most energy efficiency overall. For example, start by changing to Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs, low flow showers and toilets, fix plumbing leaks and manage use of power and water.
You have started a special campaign to preserve historic wood windows. Why this focus?
Many wood windows were installed 100 or more years ago and could last another 100 years if properly maintained. And they were built to be repairable, unlike modern windows. Older windows were often made of high quality wood that stands the test of time. New windows are probably not going to last 100 years and may have to be replaced due to limited lifecycles and warranties.
It's not necessary to always buy new to be green. Additionally, repair and rehabilitation - of windows or older buildings in general - is a more labor intensive process than new construction, and therefore creates local jobs and is good for the economy.
Especially the U.S. real estate market was hit hard by the economic crisis. Has it become more arduous to preserve historic buildings?
The current economic crisis is actually driving more rehab and less new construction. Historic preservation organizations across the U.S. are working to prevent abandonment, promote fewertear downs and use stimulus money to preserve entire neighborhoods.
Public dollars need to support reinvestment in older communities and should not subsidize unsustainable, sprawling development. It is important to upgrade and repair existing infrastructure. New isn't always better, we need to reuse what we have and protect what we value for a sustainable future. And the bottom line is that historic buildings can be green and their integrity protected.
editor: Janet Ruiz
publishing date: August 25, 2009
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