Flo Lentz
Flo Lentz
Program Officer
4Culture
What is preservation's role in promoting sustainable development?
The role of preservation in promoting sustainable development is, at this stage, largely one of education. We know that most folks still think of "green building" as involving new construction. It's a disconnect that we still need to bridge.
What is your personal vision for the Preservation Green Lab?
I hope the Preservation Green Lab goes beyond considerations of building retrofits, looking at what makes whole neighborhoods sustainable in terms of identity, scale and cultural vibrancy.
What do you hope the Preservation Green Lab will accomplish within its first year? Its first five years?
In its first year, I'd like to see the Preservation Green Lab become a household name around here...or at least within the design/construction/energy community. I hope that it can simply draw attention to its existence, its role and its goals. In five years time, I'd love for good, solid preservation-oriented retrofitting to be gaining real traction as a major sustainability strategy.
What lessons do you hope elected officials and local decision-makers will learn from the Preservation Green Lab and its initiatives? What about the general public?
I hope everyone has a major "ah ha" moment when they realize what preservationists already know – recycling old buildings is inherently about as green as you can get.
