Let’s Build a Sustainable Toolkit for Historic Buildings

Preserving historic buildings has always been about protecting our architectural heritage. But in the face of the climate crisis, it's clear we need a new approach—one that prioritizes not just the preservation of history, but also the sustainability of our planet. To meet this challenge, we must collaborate on creating a toolkit that equips preservationists, architects, and communities with the tools to lower the embodied and operational carbon of historic properties without compromising their character.

Our historic fabric tells stories of the past, but it has also evolved. We no longer heat buildings with coal or fireplaces; we’ve embraced electricity, HVAC systems, and even exterior condensers. These adaptations remind us that change is possible while honoring the past. Now, we must make history again by incorporating advanced, environmentally responsible solutions into the stewardship of our treasured landmarks.

A Framework for a Sustainable Toolkit

This toolkit will address key considerations to guide decision-making and foster intelligent, balanced retrofits:

1. Asking the Right Questions

• What are the building's current energy performance and carbon footprint?
• What opportunities and constraint exist in the building components orientation and architecture?
• Use Net Present Value rather than Return On Investment for more accurate cost /value analysis.
• How can historic commissions and preservationists align efforts with modern climate goals?
• What role can communities play in supporting sustainable preservation practices?
• What experts do we need to engage to meet our goals?

2. Embracing Big-Picture Solutions

• Reduce embodied carbon by prioritizing reclaimed and low-impact materials.
• Introduce low impact insulation and air sealing techniques that enhance energy performance without compromising historic details.
• Preference long-term, durability and resilience, conservation-first envelope improvements over a systems only approach. 
• Upgrade systems and electrify with smart, discreet technologies.
• Develop low toxicity product guides.
• Promote water conservation strategies.
• Phased work must meet 2050 goals or anticipate future phases. Avoid half measures.

3. Pushing Policy Boundaries

• Advocate for updated guidelines that balance preservation with environmental impact.
• Leverage legal frameworks, such as Pennsylvania’s Article 1, Section 27, to promote environmentally conscious decisions.
• Share successful case studies, and best in class practices and resources that demonstrate how historic buildings can thrive sustainably.
• By working together, we can ensure that our historic properties not only preserve the past but also reflect our commitment to a resilient, carbon-conscious future.

Join Philly COTE!

If you share this vision, we invite you to join our committee to help develop this forward-thinking toolkit. Together, we can lead the way in creating a sustainable framework for preserving our architectural heritage while boldly confronting the climate crisis. Your expertise, ideas, and passion are invaluable to this and our other future proofing efforts.

- https://aiaphiladelphia.org/clubs/view/cote