Sustainable Preservation
Old buildings work hard, constantly adapting, always works-in-progress. We can preserve our architectural heritage alongside adaptability for future energy and resource needs. Looking through the lenses of sustainability, recycling and conservation; historic preservation sets a natural stage for green building, recycling and retrofitting aged structures, conserving precious resources, community investment and job creation and retention. This whole systems forward-thinking is sustainable preservation.
“The greenest building is... one that is already built.”
— Carl Elefante, FAIA, LEED AP
Guide Sections
- The Case for Preservation and Sustainability
- Resources for Old Homes
- Technical Assistance
- Innovative Portland Preservation Case Studies
- Financial Incentives for Preservation
- City of Portland Zoning Regulations
- Green Preservation Workshops and Degree Programs
- Further Resources
The Case for Preservation and Sustainability
Benefits from preserving old buildings:
- Waste reduction
- Jobs
- Recycling and reuse
- Livability, complete and sustainable neighborhoods
- Our built history
- Embodied energy
- Craftsmanship and architectural character
- Stewardship
Articles and Postings
- Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency: A Guide for Historic Commercial Buildings - A new guide from Pacific Power
- The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Value of Building Reuse - a report from the Preservation Green Lab of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- This Old House: Why fixing up old houses is greener than building new ones - from Grist.org
- District Energy and Ecodistricts - from the Preservation Green Lab of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Back to the Future - from Preservation Magazine (District energy and the Main Street Program – Portland mentioned)
- Making a Difference - from Preservation Magazine
- Sustainability and Preservation - from National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Historic Preservation is Inherently Sustainable (PDF) - from Louisiana SHPO
- Sustainable Preservation (PDF) - An addendum to Building with Nantucket in Mind
- Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation (PDF) - from Clean Air Cool Planet
- The Economics of Sustainability and Historic Preservation - by Donovan Rypkema
Resources for Old Homes
Advice on windows, weatherizing your old home, hazardous materials like lead and asbestos and waste minimization.
The Window Replacement Dilemma
- Window Repair and Weatherization Guidebook: A Handy Guide for Owners of Portland, Oregon Homes - from the Architectural Heritage Center
- Wood Window Tip Sheet (PDF) - from SHPO
- Does Window Replacement = Defacement? (PDF) - from the Historic Preservation League of Oregon
- How to Restore Sash Windows (PDF) - By Beth Goulart
Weatherization and Insulation
- Energy Efficiency Tips for Historic Homeowners (PDF) - from State Historic Preservation Office
- Weatherizing and Improving the Energy Efficiency of Historic Buildings - from the National Park Service
- Interactive Preservation House - from Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Hazardous Materials
- Lead-Safe Practices for Older and Historic Buildings - from the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Waste Minimization
What is embodied energy? Embodied energy is the sum total of all the energy required to grow, harvest, extract, manufacture, refine, process, package, transport, install and dispose of a particular product or building material. When a building is demolished with no plans for recycling or reclamation this energy is lost.
- Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Waste Prevention Study A two-year study highlighting information on carbon emissions, how home remodels produce an abundance of construction debris and which has the most impact for building materials – reduction, reuse or recycling.
- City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Construction Waste - Contact Shawn Wood 503-823-5468 shawn.wood@portlandoregon.gov for help with deconstruction, code, waste minimization, construction debris recycling and salvage.
Historic Properties and Solar
Many owners of historic homes want to reduce their carbon footprint and energy consumption. Through neighborhood volume purchasing programs for solar energy systems and local and national incentives and tax credits, solar is more affordable than ever. This area discusses the challenges facing historic structures and where to turn for help.
City of Portland - Solar Energy Program
- Solar and Your Historic Home
- The National Trust’s Position on Solar Panels
- Solar Shingles - from This Old House magazine
Local Tours Including Historic Properties
Seeing is believing. How did they insulate that drafty attic? Where did they get that fir washboard siding for their cottage? Where can I find a refurbished range for my atomic ranch? Go on a tour – you’ll be inspired!
- Architectural Heritage Center's Kitchen Revival Tour – each April
- Irvington Home Tour – each May
- City of Portland Build it Green! Home Tour – each September
Technical Assistance
National, regional and local assistance for your preservation questions.
- City of Portland Historic Resources Program – Contact Brandon Spencer-Hartle 503-823-4641 brandon.spencer@portlandoregon.gov for information pertaining to historic designations, regulations, and best practices for adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
- City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Construction Waste - Contact Shawn Wood 503-823-5468 shawn.wood@portlandoregon.gov for help with deconstruction, code, waste minimization, construction debris recycling and salvage.
- Regional Green Building Hotline - Contact 503-823-5431 greenhotline@portlandoregon.gov for help with construction tech assistance, local programs, aging-in-place, where to find materials and incentives.
- State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - Contact Joy Sears joy.sears@state.or.us 503-986-0688 for help with the federal tax credit program and technical restoration inquiries. Cara Kaser cara.kaser@state.or.us 503-986-0784 for help with the National Register/Survey.
- Metro Find A Recycler - Metro Recycling Information Hotline 503-234-3000.
- Architectural Heritage Center (AHC) - Contact AHC for help finding businesses and services specializing in historic preservation.
- Ask the National Trust a question on their Home RX blog
Innovative Preservation Case Studies
These Portland Portland case studies showcase why preserving aged buildings makes business sense, enhances neighborhood livability, receive high-profile awards and certifications for innovation, and display an abundance of historic character and resource savvy.
Preservation Case Studies |
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Brewery Blocks
Built 1856. Restored 2007. Current use: residential, offices, retail, restaurant. Original use: Blitz-Weinhard Brewery, Chevy dealership. Certification: LEED NC Silver or Gold for each of the five blocks. www.architectureweek.com/ www.gerdingedlen.com/ www.breweryblocks.com/ |
Gerding Theater at The Armory
Built 1891. Restored 2006. On the National Register of Historic Places. Current use: performance space, offices, restaurant, event space. Original use: annex and drilling ground for the Portland Armory. Certification: LEED NC 2.1 Platinum |
Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center (Ecotrust)
Built 1895. Restored 2000. Current use: offices, retail, event space, restaurant. Original use: rail warehouse. Certification: LEED NC 2.0 Gold www.ecotrust.org/...NCC_Fact_Sheet.pdf |
Martha Washington ApartmentsBuilt 1923. Restored 2010. On the National Register of Historic Places. Current use: affordable apartments. Original use: hotel. Certification: LEED NC 2.2 Silver http://www.hapdx.org/development/property-developments/martha-washington |
Mercy Corps Global Headquarters
Built 1892. Restored 2009. On the National Register of Historic Places. Current use: education, offices, non-profit resource center. Original use: Packer-Scott Building, Skidmore Fountain Building. Certification: LEED NC 2.2 Platinum |
The Morgan Building
Certification: LEED EBOM v2009 Silver |
The Nines Hotel
Built 1905. Restored 2008. On the National Register of Historic Places. Current use: hotel, restaurant, event space. Original use: Meier & Frank department store. Certification: LEED NC 2.1 Silver |
People’s Co-op
Built 1900. Restored 2003. Current use: retail, event space. Original use: grocery store |
White Stag Block
Built 1883 (Bickel Block Building), 1889 (Skidmore Block Building), 1907 (White Stag and Hirsch-Weiss Building). Restored 2008. On the National Register of Historic Places. Current use: education, offices and retail. Original use: manufacturing, offices, warehouse. Certification: LEED NC 2.2 Gold |
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Financial Incentives for Preservation
- Financial Incentives for Historic Preservation
- Federal Tax Credit program for Income-Producing Properties
- Oregon Special Historic Properties Tax Assessments
- Clean Energy Works Oregon - no up-front cost energy and weatherization upgrades for your home available in several Oregon counties.
- Portland Development Commission Storefront Improvement Program
City of Portland Zoning Regulations
Is my building in a Conservation District or a Historic District? When do I need a Historic Design Review?
Green Preservation Workshops and Degree Programs
Local and national hands-on programs.
- National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) - Guide to Academic Programs
- Architectural Heritage Center (AHC) - 503-231-7264 (trainings and workshops)
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Historic Resources Committee - 503-206-3185 (meet monthly)Regional Green Building Hotline - 503-823-5431 (presentations on request)
- State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - 503-986-0671 (trainings and workshops)
- Preservation Green Lab Seattle - From the National Trust for Historic Preservation a center showcasing green preservation best practices and advocating for policy change.
- University of Oregon Historic Preservation - (degree program) includes a course on Preservation and Sustainability.
- Historic Real Estate Professional Certification
Further Resources
Local, regional and national experts in the field.