Sustainability > Site Features

THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR’S STANDARDS FOR
REHABILITATION &

ILLUSTRATED
GUIDELINES ON
SUSTAINABILITY
FOR REHABILITATING
HISTORIC BUILDINGS

  • Close-up view of a stone foundation with some deteriorated stones.
    Not Recommended Splash back from the impermeable concrete paving next to the foundation is damaging these stones.
  • Driveway constructed of pavers with grass growing between them, with a grass lawn in the background.
    Recommended Permeable pavers were used at this historic residential property for a driveway and parking.
  • Walkways constructed of an environmentally-friendly aggregate material leading to a historic house.
    Recommended A hard-packed, construction aggregate provides environmentally-friendly paths for visitors at this historic site.
  • Trees flanking a pool of water in front of an International Style office building.
    Recommended Mature trees and a water feature contribute to the sustainability of this mid-twentieth century property.
  • Medium-sized tree planted directly next to a red brick building.
    Not Recommended This tree, which was planted too close to the building, has caused the masonry wall to retain moisture that damaged the mortar and required that the brick be repointed in this area.
  • Rain garden planted with flowering plants in front of a Tudor style house.
    Recommended Rain gardens and rain-water collection tanks are features that may be added to a historic property to improve storm-water management and increase on-site water use.
  • Close-up of a rain garden with a slight downward slope to collect water.
    Recommended Rain gardens and rain-water collection tanks are features that may be added to a historic property to improve storm-water management and increase on-site water use.
  • Rainwater collection tank connected to the downspout of a brick house.
    Recommended Rain gardens and rain-water collection tanks are features that may be added to a historic property to improve storm-water management and increase on-site water use.
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Site Features and Water Efficiency

Recommended
Not Recommended
Respecting an important cultural landscape and significant character-defining site features when considering adding new sustainable features to the site.
Installing new sustainable site features without considering their potentially negative impact on an important cultural landscape and character-defining site features.
Using to advantage existing storm-water-management features, such as gutters, downspouts and cisterns, as well as site topography and vegetation that contribute to the sustainability of the historic property.
Ignoring existing features that contribute to the sustainability of the historic property.
Adding natural, sustainable features to the site, such as shade trees, if appropriate, to reduce cooling loads for the historic building.
Removing existing natural features, such as shade trees, that contribute to the building’s sustainability.
Planting trees where they may grow to encroach upon or damage the historic building.
Using permeable paving where appropriate on a historic building site to manage storm water.
Avoiding paving up to the building foundation to reduce heat island effect, building temperature, damage to the foundation and storm-water runoff.
Paving up to the building foundation with impermeable materials.
Landscaping with native plants, if appropriate, to enhance the sustainability of the historic site.
Introducing non-native plant species to the historic site that are not sustainable.
Adding features, such as bioswales, rain gardens, rain barrels, large collection tanks and cisterns, if compatible, to the historic building site to enhance storm-water management and on-site water reuse.