Sustainability, Green Building, and Historic Preservation

It is becoming increasingly common to hear discussions of environmental stewardship and sustainability of our built resources in the context of global warming issues. Green building practices and LEED building certifications are no longer isolated to unique projects, but are becoming commonplace in both new construction and building rehabilitation. Rehabilitation projects can be a natural and good fit with green building design. A common sentiment expressed by preservationists is that "[t]he greenest building is one that is already built."  Historic preservation can play a significant role in the development of sustainable design and the continued use of our historic resources.

Resources

• The  U.S. Green Building Council
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) directory can be found at the  Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation's  online sustainability web page  
• National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe's speech   following his receipt of the National Building Museum's prestigious 2007 Vincent Scully Prize
• The Greening of Historic Properties [PDF] , a white paper on pinpointing strategies and tactics for integrating green building technologies into historic structures
• Historic Preservation and Green Building: A Lasting Relationship [PDF] , from Environmental Building News, January 2007
• The  National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) discussion [PDF]  on the greening of historic properties
• Preservation magazine online, The Green Issue
• The American Institute of Architects green campaign website, "Walk the Walk: Architects Leading the Sustainable Evolution"
• Resources from the Michigan  Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

For more information on historic preservation and sustainability,  contact Michigan State Historic Preservation Office staff .