National Preservation Conference: Conversation Starter and Thoughts from November 3

Posted on: November 3rd, 2012 by Priya Chhaya

The final day of the National Preservation Conference always feels a bit sudden. For four days we've come together to share best practices, gain new ideas, and engage on the tough issues that we are all facing. It's always a bit sad to say goodbye.

The day kicked off with a special lecture by Donovan Rypkema, the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award recipient for 2012. The lecture was provocative, citing the various reasons why each political party should be supporters of preservation, and emphasizing the need for preservationists to become better communicators of our work. We hope to make the full text of the talk available in the coming weeks.

Immediately following the the lecture we had the third and final Conversation Starter on LEED. As the title described it was a candid conversation about what LEED v4 entails and the relationship between the preservation community and the LEED system.

The speakers for this session were Beth Heider, the Chair of USGBC, and Jean Carroon, principal with Goody Clancy. It was moderated by Patrice Frey of the National Trust's Preservation Green Lab. Heider started off with a statistic that 85% of New York City's current buildings will still exist in 2030, a clear nexus between the green and historic preservation movement.

They also addressed the contention that exists between various groups and LEED. In response, Heider detailed the ways in which the LEED system is willing to evolve, and encouraged an open dialogue through the public comment period.

Here is the quick Storify of the session:

View the story "Conversation Starter: Beyond LEED" on StorifyConversation Starter: Beyond LEEDNational Preservation Conference-Spokane, WA-Saturday November 3, 2012-Storified by Preservation Nation · Sat, Nov 03 2012 18:56:28Winding up #PresConf w/ "Beyond LEED: A Candid Conversation About Green Building Standards & Preservation" A great topic for conversation.Matt ColeReading List from PLF on LEED and Beyond Conversation Starter http://ow.ly/1PlgGs #presconfPriya ChhayaToday's speakers are Beth Heider, Vice President of SKANSKA USA also chair of the USGBC board and Jean Carroon with Goody Clancy. #presconfPriya ChhayaPatrice Frey from @presgreenlab and @presnation is moderating. #presconfPriya ChhayaHere is the article that Patrice mentioned Heider wrote re: green building and preservation. http://ow.ly/1PlgOx #presconfPriya ChhayaHeider practiced as a preservation architect before current work. #presconf She's going to fill us in on the changes to LEED.Priya Chhaya"Have to move with the building industry and raise the bar" Heider on why LEED keeps changing. #presconfPriya ChhayaThe stats we should know: buildings produce 40% of all CO2 emissions and use a correlary amount of electricity. #PresConfMatt ColeI think LEED has way to go in valuing existing buildings and materials but v4 is good step forward. Remember it's on tool we have: #PresConfMatt ColeH: I want my epitaph to say "helped change from initial cost to life cycle" (paraphrased, I'm not sure I got it exactly right.) #presconfPriya ChhayaH: Important point: Need to become a part of the conversation. #presconfPriya ChhayaBeth Heider concludes by asking pres audience to get involved in the LEED conversation. #PresConfMatt ColeThe fantastic preservation architect Jean Carroon now up & talking about green bldg, preservation, & +/- of LEED. #PresConfMatt ColePushback she hears about LEED comes from a spectrum of people, and that people are very dismissive how LEED approaches things.#presconfPriya ChhayaCarroon: LEED changed marketplace and are now willing to change again to keep up with what is happening now. #presconfPriya ChhayaJean Carroon is an important voice in the preservation movement - find her book and read it! #presconfPatrick EidmanBeth Heider giving overview of LEED v. 4 development & process (including slow down due to market pushback.) #PresConfMatt ColePlaces to get news that Carroon follows BCampagna's blog (http://ow.ly/1PlhZc ) and Building Green out of Vermont. #presconfPriya ChhayaThe other blog was Building Green: http://www.buildinggreen.com/ #presconf thanks @urbanmattPriya ChhayaLEED v4 needs preservationists' feedback, heads up #PresConf @PresNationLiveSusan JohnsonCaroon: doesn't like hyperfocus on energy rather then avoided impacts. But recognizes that it is political. #presconfPriya ChhayaPres peeps. We need to stop looking at LEED &?other tools as monolithic and in oppositional terms. We are part of mkt & solution. #PresConfMatt Cole

The rest of the morning was filled with one last round of sessions and a lecture by Knute Berger, but we'll let the attendees fill you in.

....and that's it for the 2012 National Preservation Conference here in Spokane.

Next year we will be in Indianapolis for Preservation at the Crossroads. Save the date October 29-November 2, 2013. We'll see you there!

Priya Chhaya

Priya Chhaya is the Online Content Coordinator for the Partnerships Office at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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National Preservation Conference: Conversation Starter and Thoughts from November 3

Priya Chhaya

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