Old Materials, New Climate: Traditional Building Materials in a Changing World is an accessible guidebook to better understand historic materials, how they were traditionally made, how they survived the test of time, and how changes in climate are now impacting these old materials in new ways.
How do we protect historic buildings from a rapidly changing and unpredictable climate? First, we need to understand how climate affects weather, and how weather affects the durability and resiliency of building materials. This book explores some of the most widely used traditional materials: wood, adobe, brick, lime, concrete, metal, and paint, examining how both gradual and dramatic changes in climate are creating new stresses on the structural integrity and durability of old materials and threaten to accelerate the normal weathering of traditional materials, and what strategies are required to safeguard this legacy for future generations. Illustrated case studies expose how weather is affecting materials in specific historic buildings in each of the major climate zones in the United States, and their counterparts across the globe.
Drawing on the work of experts in conservation, biology, chemistry and environmental impacts, this book will be a useful resource for any student, preservationist, architect or contractor interested in expanding their knowledge of materials and why they perform in the way they do.
About the Author: Susan Pranger has focused on preservation and adaptive reuse for most of her career as an Architect and Educator, gaining a fascination for historic buildings, and a deep respect for the owners, advocates, consultants, and craftsmen who ensure their survival. Susan is a licensed Architect and LEED accredited professional with 40 years experience in professional practice, 12 years as chair of the Boston Landmarks Commission, and over 10 years teaching in the Sustainable Design and Historic Preservation at the Boston Architectural College (BAC), an institution with a long tradition of combining education with practice. In 2015, Susan received a Master of Design Studies in Sustainable Design from the BAC, exactly 40 years after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Detroit, Michigan.
