Sustainable
PreservationCornell

Certificate Program

In this course, you will explore the factors that contribute to the decision to sustainably preserve a historic structure. You will begin by examining the concept of embodied energy as a tool to evaluate historic structures and materials. You will also gain strategies for collaborating with stakeholders to find creative reuse opportunities in your projects. Finally, through a case study, you will apply your knowledge to practice using embodied energy to evaluate a historic structure and make recommendations for its potential future use, setting you up with practical skills for your next project.

You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Sustainable Historic Preservation

In this course, you will contextualize the structural, governmental, and social factors that must be considered in the sustainable rehabilitation of the built environment. You will discover how to consider rehabilitation as a flexible preservation strategy to extend the usable life of historic buildings. To apply these concepts, you will examine cases that show how structures can be adapted to incorporate modern technologies or converted to serve new functions. Finally, you will practice developing recommendations for rehabilitation that both address community concerns and seek to extend the life of historic structures.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Sustainable Historic Preservation
• Embracing the Worth of Existing Buildings

In this course, you will look at ways to make rehabilitation projects more sustainable. You will explore sustainability more holistically, beyond building materials, and assess how economic, cultural, historic, and social sustainability contributes to better communities for everyone. You will identify opportunities to use retrofits to respond to both external and internal threats. You will apply your knowledge and evaluate projects to be responsive and adaptive to future uses. Finally, you will practice community engagement in order to partner with stakeholders throughout the project process.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Sustainable Historic Preservation
• Embracing the Worth of Existing Buildings
• Advocating for Sustainable Preservation

Understanding the economics of preservation is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of your project. In this course, you will examine these crucial elements, including the funding options that might be available to you and your team. First, you will explore how to structure funding negotiations to set yourself up for success. You will then identify how to utilize funds in ways that balance sustainability goals with historic preservation goals. By the end of this course, you will have a better perspective on the economics of preservation, setting you up for success in your future projects.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Sustainable Historic Preservation
• Embracing the Worth of Existing Buildings
• Advocating for Sustainable Preservation
• Developing a Community Plan for Sustainable Preservation

In this course, you will discover the important role that public policy plays in historic preservation and sustainability. You will evaluate sustainable ideas and translate them into actionable plans. You will then develop those actionable plans into legal mechanisms for encouraging sustainable policies in your own community. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to engage with public policy decision making and strategy as you progress through your career.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Sustainable Historic Preservation
• Embracing the Worth of Existing Buildings
• Advocating for Sustainable Preservation
• Developing a Community Plan for Sustainable Preservation
• Economics of Sustainable Preservation