INTEGRATION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES FOR LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS by KIMBERLY L. KOOLES (Under the Direction of John Waters) ABSTRACT This thesis will serve to aide historic preservation commissions through the process of integrating sustainability into local historic preservation practices. Included will be models of energy efficiency updates, green modifications, and reasons for conserving the built and natural environment. INDEX WORDS: Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Commissions, Design Guidelines, Sustainability, Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, Embodied Energy, Historic Districts INTEGRATION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES FOR LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS by KIMBERLY L. KOOLES BA, College of Charleston, 2004 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION ATHENS, GEORGIA 2009 © 2009 Kimberly L. Kooles All Rights Reserved INTEGRATION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES FOR LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS by KIMBERLY L. KOOLES Major Professor: John Waters Committee: James Reap Alfred Vick Jennifer Martin Lewis Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia May 2009 DEDICATION To the greatest blessing life has given me personally, my parents. Thank You. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to give my sincere thanks to everyone who has assisted in the completion of my thesis. My family has been unconditionally supportive throughout my time in graduate school, even more so down the winding road it took for me to recommence my studies. My exceptional friends who helped me through my sleepless nights and relentless fretting, thanks for reminding me that it is very important to take breaks from one’s computer for life’s greater moments. Chris, who helped me through countless deadlines and listened patiently to my random bablings, thank you for being my sounding board and support. Tupelo for the not so subtle nudging for playtime followed by your quiet support curled up under my desk. Donna Gabriel, thank you for help with everything from formatting deadlines and defense dates, to teaching me how to use a typewriter again and pointing me in the right direction on campus. You are always helpful, upbeat, and positive with the students who pass through your doorway. I very much appreciated your presence throughout my studies at the University of Georgia. Drane Wilkinson, thank you for your never ending guidance, for patiently listening to my incomplete thoughts, and for continuous support of my research over the last eighteen months. Professor Waters, thank you for your faith in my abilities as a graduate student and for your unfaltering passion for historic preservation as it reminds me of why I began my studies so long ago. v My committee, James Reap, Jennifer Martin Lewis and Alfred Vick, has been extremely generous with their time and energy. I thank you for your participation and assistance in this process. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Goals of Study ...........................................................................................................1 2 Historic Preservation Commission’s Role .....................................................................3 Sustainability as a Necessity .....................................................................................4 Responsibilities .........................................................................................................9 Training ...................................................................................................................10 3 United States Green Building Council and the LEED Rating System ........................12 LEED .......................................................................................................................13 Immediate Future ....................................................................................................16 4 Green Collaborations ...................................................................................................22 The Sustainable Preservation Coalition ..................................................................22 The Pocantico Principles .........................................................................................23 5 What Makes Historic Preservation Sustainable? .........................................................27 Embodied Energy ....................................................................................................29 Traditional Building Design ....................................................................................33 Retrofitting Historic Properties ...............................................................................35 vii 6 Historic Resources and Green Modifications ..............................................................37 Energy Efficient Opportunities ...............................................................................38 Recommendations .............................................................................................42 Windows ..................................................................................................................43 Vermont Division of Historic Preservation Study ............................................44 Recommendations .............................................................................................48 Solar .........................................................................................................................49 Thermal Systems ...............................................................................................51 Electrical Systems .............................................................................................56 Recommendations .............................................................................................59 Wind ........................................................................................................................60 Recommendations .............................................................................................62 Geothermal ..............................................................................................................63 Recommendations .............................................................................................66 Green Roofs .............................................................................................................66 Recommendations ............................................................................................70 Rainwater Harvesting ..............................................................................................70 Recommendations .............................................................................................72 After the Fact Approval ...........................................................................................72 7 Conclusion and Recommendations ..............................................................................74 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................78 APPENDICES ...............................................................................................................................82 viii A Glossary of Terminology .............................................................................................82 B Abbreviations ...............................................................................................................90 C Historic Building Energy Efficiency Brochure ............................................................92 D City of Boulder, Colorado Policies, Regulations, and Guidelines Regarding Historic Preservation and Environmental Sustainability ......................................................94 E Embodied Energy Model ...........................................................................................103 F Breckenridge, Colorado Solar Panel Ordinance ........................................................105 G Sustainability and Preservation – Charleston, South Carolina ..................................111 H A Guide to Rooftop Gardening ..................................................................................116 I Excerpts from the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation Study on the Energy Efficiency of Historic Wooden Windows in Cold Climates .................................126 ix LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1: Energy Retrofits for Historic Homes ..............................................................................41 Figure 2: Infiltration leaks for a Typical Double Hung Window ..................................................45 Figure 3: Direct Solar Gain ............................................................................................................53 Figure 4: Sunspace Addition ..........................................................................................................54