Modeling a Net Zero Future with Historic Buildings

This presentation will be an in-depth look at how to retrofit historic buildings toward the goals of LEED EBOM Platinum, and a net zero energy balance. First, we will make the case for why we should care about our historic buildings, including the trends and future of the green building industry from a climate perspective and a financial perspective. Second, there will be an assessment of the technology that exists today for retrofitting, the financial models that make sense for this type of work, and how LEED can best be best utilized for these projects – including how to approach a LEED EBOM platinum certification with a historic building. Third, we get into the nuts and bolts of how to retrofit: walking through the process, players, and unique steps to successfully create a green, net zero historic building – including an extensive discussion integrating preservation and sustainability. Finally, we will look at this process in a case study of the Alliance Center, a model building for energy-efficient historic retrofits and hub for sustainability, currently re-certifying its LEED EBOM Gold status to Platinum status.

Though this presentation gives special credence toward historic buildings, the vast majority of concepts, processes, and action steps described in this presentation can be applied to existing buildings at-large via the following learning points:

• Green building industry trends
• Achieving LEED EBOM Platinum
• Steps for greening historic buildings
• Combination passive/active design
• Financial models to make green retrofits
• Defining and achieving Net Zero in historic buildings