Course: GFM 101 Fundamentals of Green Facilities Management

Reading

Teardown (Demolition) Tools

Teardowns. Demolishing older or historic buildings and replacing them with new structures that may not be as durable, sustainable or secure is a problem found in many communities in both the government and private sector. Currently there is no single tool available to solve the Teardown problem but rather a combination of strategies works best. Recognizing that most architects, engineers, and facility maintenance personnel don't know where to start or go for best practices. One tool available online is "Teardown Tools on the Web," created as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Teardowns Initiative. This tool is intended as an easy-to-share, user-friendly, one-stop-shop highlighting approximately 30 tools and more than 300 examples of best practices being used around the country.

Click here to dowload National Trust for Historic Preservation website.

Click here to download and read Tear Down Tools on the Web by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance (Remuddling Can Be ‘Undone’)

It is important to initiate energy conservation retrofits to reduce energy consumption and the cost of heating, cooling, and lighting buildings. But conserving energy is not the only reason for retrofitting existing buildings. The goal should be to create a high-performance building by applying the integrated, whole-building design process, to the project during the planning or charrette phase that ensures all key design objectives are met.

About Vanishing STL

Vanishing STL was created to illustrate the continuing loss of irreplaceable architecture from landmark buildings to ordinary homes due to demolition, abandonment and neglect. The photos include buildings photographed as early as 1990 to the present.

Click here to view Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance from WBDG website.
Click here to view Vanishing STL website.