Look to Old Buildings for New Green Ideas
by Fred Leeson
The Oregonian: inPortland
What makes the most sustainable building? Don't look to new towers with eco-roofs, solar panels and LEED ratings, says an expert who came to Portland recently.
The greenest building, says Donovan Rypkema, is more likely to be an old warehouse, 1920s office building or department store, restored to its original use or converted to something else.
"Historic preservation is the ultimate in recycling," says Rypkema, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and development consultant who sees a convergence of preservation and environmental awareness. "One hundred percent of what historic preservation does advances the cause of the environment." Read Full Article>
