Location(s)

Sara Hobbs, Associate Director at the Cleveland Restoration Society, looks at sustainability and historic preservation in “The Greenest Building is Already Built,” presented on Tuesday, March 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Oberlin College’s Hallock Auditorium (located in the Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at 122 Elm Street, Oberlin).

In recent years, newly developed “green” technologies have made headlines in response to society’s efforts to reduce human impact on the environment. Discussions of “green” often focus on new construction, while the green potential found in the restoration of existing buildings is overlooked. Hobbs illustrates that the continued use and rehabilitation of existing buildings is the sustainable and responsible use of resources. Hobbs’ presentation covers the negative environmental impact of demolition and discusses possible public policy incentives that could further support and encourage the rehabilitation of older buildings. She will give tips on how homeowners can participate in environmentally friendly practices while preserving the historic integrity of their homes. She’ll also address how historic preservation and green building movements can work together to conserve buildings and promote sustainability.

This free, public program is sponsored by the Oberlin Heritage Center, the Lorain County Preservation Network, and the Cleveland Restoration Society, with local support from the City of Oberlin, the City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission, the City of Oberlin Housing Renewal Commission, and Oberlin College’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Studies Department.

For more information about this event, please contact the Oberlin Heritage Center at (440) 774-1700 or e-mail members@oberlinheritage.org. For information about the Cleveland Restoration Society or the sustainability of historic preservation, contact Sara Hobbs at 216-426-3108 or shobbs@clevelandrestoration.org.