Old Is The New Green

WHEN WE NEED to reduce our energy use, we can not afford to throw away our old buildings and cities. The materials that went into their construction are limited resources that contain enormous embodied energy, tearing them down uses significant amounts of energy while creating greenhouse gases, and "green buildings" today often rely on technological fixes that work less well than old solutions like thermal mass. Plus, of course, there is the argument about buildings that are loved are the most green, because they are the ones that will be preserved in the future. Very few people love glass towers.

Here's another oldie but goodie, the Green Council Report that talks about many of these issues. Download the PDF HERE.

  

Preservation Magazine: Old Is The New Green