"Trash or Treasure"

Adele Willson and Gary Petri, architects specializing in educational, religious or historic buildings, offer advice for deciding whether an old school building is "trash or treasure."

They begin with information from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which "added historic neighborhood schools to its annual list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places," (1). Even though this information seems threatening, they do mention that not every building is worth saving; there are many factors that have to be considered.

"Sustainable Preservation"

Willson and Petri suggest that preserving an old building is the most sustainable option. They say that replacing an old building with a new, energy-efficient one might seem like the best option but often it's not. When comparing the energy present in the existing building to the amount of energy expended by demolishing it, "it becomes apparent that in some cases the most sustainable route may be to maintain the existing structure," (2).

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 65 million tons of waste per year can be attributed to the demolition of buildings, something Willson and Petri say should be considered when considering the affects of demolishing an old school.

The process, they say, should begin with the assessment of building's conditions. Architects and consultants should be used to determine the best possible solution.

"Community Icons"

Not only is the issue one of sustainability, it is also one of community. Willson and Petri suggest the sentiments of the community should be considered when making the decision of what to do with an old building; Who will be affected by the decision?

"The significance of an historic school may go well beyond the brick and mortar; its intrinsic value may be as a celebrated treasure in the community," (2).

"Performance Factors"

Considering the impact of a school's structure on its teachers and students is one of the most important factors when deciding what to do with an old building. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), 15,000 school in the United States and one in five children suffer from poor indoor air quality. Ensuring that the building is safe is key in determining its fate.

Other factors like indoor lighting, acoustics, and even paint color can have an impact on the learning environment. These things should also be considered when renovating an old school or building a new one.