Better Renovations + Retrofits
““The built environment is responsible for about 42% of annual global CO2 emmissions. Of those total emissions, building operations are responsible for approximately 27% annually...” ”
If so much of society’s CO2 emissions come from the operation of existing buildings, why isn’t considerably more attention given to their energy efficiency and decarbonization? We cannot tear them all down and replace them with passive house buildings. Their embodied value... in terms of materials, labor and cultural meaning... is far too great.
““The greenest building is the one that is already built.””
There are over 85 million existing single family houses in America. Roughly 40 million of them were built before the 1970’s oil crises… and the increased use of insulation and double-pane windows that followed. These old houses comprise the fabric of our neighborhoods, towns and cities. Most are well constructed. Many have elegant architectural details. These are the places that many of us call home. They are worth preserving.
What are the best practices for stewarding existing homes for the 21st century?
How should we prioritize our actions, when undertaking a renovation?
How do we strike a balance between the concerns of historical commissions and the new energy codes that are being enacted?
What is the best way to weatherize a damp fieldstone basement?
In the end, how do we know if we have done a good job?
The geographic scope of this project has been limited to the Northeast, in recognition of the fact that house design and construction is regional in nature - influenced by local climate, culture and building traditions.
Case Studies for 2025
This project would not exist if it weren’t for all the talented and committed contributors who expressed enthusiasm for the endeavor and made time in their very busy schedules to collaborate.
Hudson Valley Preservation Corp.
Kent
CONNECTICUT
Wolfworks, Inc.
Guilford
CONNECTICUT
Byggmeister
Design Build
Medford
MASSACHUSETTS