Sustainable preservation
Encyclopedia
Sustainable preservation is a term often used by those who advocate historic preservation
by promoting the position that preservation has tangible ecological benefits, on the basis that the most sustainable building is one that is already built, and that historic buildings have advantages over new construction with their often central location, historic building materials, and unique characteristics of craftsmanship. Arguing for these connections is at least partially an outgrowth of the green building movement with its emphasis on new construction. Sustainable preservation borrows many of the same principles of sustainable architecture
, though is unique by focusing on older buildings versus new construction. The term "sustainable preservation" is also utilized to refer to the preservation of global heritage, archaeological and historic sites through the creation of economically sustainable businesses which support such preservation, such as the Sustainable Preservation Initiative
and the Global Heritage Fund
.
The Association for Preservation Technology International formed a "Sustainable Preservation Committee" in 2004 to provide an arena for discussion, and educate on the relationship between historic preservation.. Among early discussions were a workshop in Halfax, held in 2005. This was followed a workshop on "Greenbuild & LEED for Historic Building" in November 2006. The APTI annual conference in Montreal from October 22-26, 2008, also included a symposium on sustainable heritage conservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation also included Sustainability among several issues the Trust works on. The Trust's position statement on sustainability is:
National Trust President Richard Moe, addressed the USGBC on November 20, 2008. His speech laid out several principles in an effort to find common ground:
The Kresge Foundation
led a Green Building Initiative from 2003 to May 29, 2009. The initiative provided planning grants for nonprofit organizations that went on to build green buildings. The foundation also demonstrated their commitment to sustainability initiatives through construction of a green headquarters in Troy, Michigan. This building incorporated a historic building on the site with new construction. These facilities were completed in 2006, and in 2008 received the Platinum-level rating from the USGBC.
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
by promoting the position that preservation has tangible ecological benefits, on the basis that the most sustainable building is one that is already built, and that historic buildings have advantages over new construction with their often central location, historic building materials, and unique characteristics of craftsmanship. Arguing for these connections is at least partially an outgrowth of the green building movement with its emphasis on new construction. Sustainable preservation borrows many of the same principles of sustainable architecture
Sustainable architecture
Sustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. Sustainable architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of our world...
, though is unique by focusing on older buildings versus new construction. The term "sustainable preservation" is also utilized to refer to the preservation of global heritage, archaeological and historic sites through the creation of economically sustainable businesses which support such preservation, such as the Sustainable Preservation Initiative
Sustainable Preservation Initiative
The Sustainable Preservation Initiative is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the world's cultural heritage by providing transformative and sustainable economic opportunities to local communities...
and the Global Heritage Fund
Global Heritage Fund
Global Heritage Fund is a non-profit organization that operates internationally. Its mission statement says that it exists to protect and preserve significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in the developing world, through scientific excellence and community development...
.
History
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has popularized sustainability initiatives since their founding in 1993. Their LEED certification allowed professionals to develop expertise in the field of green building. The LEED Green Building Rating System with benchmarks was established in 2000.The Association for Preservation Technology International formed a "Sustainable Preservation Committee" in 2004 to provide an arena for discussion, and educate on the relationship between historic preservation.. Among early discussions were a workshop in Halfax, held in 2005. This was followed a workshop on "Greenbuild & LEED for Historic Building" in November 2006. The APTI annual conference in Montreal from October 22-26, 2008, also included a symposium on sustainable heritage conservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation also included Sustainability among several issues the Trust works on. The Trust's position statement on sustainability is:
- Historic preservation can – and should – be an important component of any effort to promote sustainable development. The conservation and improvement of our existing built resources, including re-use of historic and older buildings, greening the existing building stock, and reinvestment in older and historic communities, is crucial to combating climate changeClimate changeClimate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
National Trust President Richard Moe, addressed the USGBC on November 20, 2008. His speech laid out several principles in an effort to find common ground:
- Promote a culture of reuse
- Reinvest at a Community Scale
- Value the Lessons of Heritage Buildings and Communities
- Make Use of the Economic Advantages of Reuse, Reinvestment and Retrofits
- Re-imagine Historic Preservation Policies and Practices as They Relate to Sustainability
- Take Immediate and Decisive Action
The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is a U.S. philanthropic private foundation headquartered in Troy, Michigan. The goals and aspirations of seven programs guide its grantmaking and investing. Those programs are Arts & Culture, Community Development, Detroit, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services...
led a Green Building Initiative from 2003 to May 29, 2009. The initiative provided planning grants for nonprofit organizations that went on to build green buildings. The foundation also demonstrated their commitment to sustainability initiatives through construction of a green headquarters in Troy, Michigan. This building incorporated a historic building on the site with new construction. These facilities were completed in 2006, and in 2008 received the Platinum-level rating from the USGBC.
Notable Projects
- Trinity Church, BostonTrinity Church, BostonTrinity Church in the City of Boston, located in the Back Bay of Boston, Massachusetts, is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The congregation, currently standing at approximately 3,000 households, was founded in 1733. The current rector is The Reverend Anne Bonnyman...
, Massachusetts - United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval AcademyThe United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, Main Academic Complex, Annapolis, Maryland - Cambridge City Hall Annex, Cambridge, Massachusetts - in 2005 was the oldest building certified under the USGBC LEED for New Construction, earning the Gold Rating
- Hudson Area Association Library, Hudson, New York
- J.W. McCormack Federal Courthouse and Post Office, Boston, Massachusetts
- Villagra Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- William A. Kerr Building, St. Louis, Missouri
- Howard Hall, Athens, New York
External links
- Association for Preservation Technology International, an organization concerned with technologies used for conserving historic structures and their settings.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation, the principal non-profit preservation advocacy organization in the United States.
- Standards and Guidelines for Preservation in the United States
- Sustainable Preservation Initiative, a charitable organization that preserves the world's cultural heritage through local economic development