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.

General 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)

Consultants

• Historical architects list, provided as a courtesy by the SHPO

Certain individuals on this list have been certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED AP). LEED professional accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED Certification process. LEED APs have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Green Building Rating System. The LEED AP credential represents knowledge of the LEED Rating System and its application in practice. LEED APs facilitate the integrated design process and streamline the LEED certification process.

Conferences and Workshops

• Greening the Heartland Conference - The USGBC Detroit Regional Chapter and The Engineering Society of Detroit will present the sixth annual Greening the Heartland Conference on May 31-June 2, 2009. The conference will focus on presenting tangible, practical information, case studies and proven methods in the green building industry.

Funding Sources

• Funding Sources for Green Buildings [DOC] from the Michigan DEQ
• The Kresge Foundation's Green Building Initiative

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