Renovation and rehabilitation

Last updated on April 4, 2022

Renovating or rehabilitating an existing or heritage building offers a unique opportunity to not only protect the environment but also keep the character and identity of our communities intact.

Heritage and sustainability facts

When deciding between rehabilitating an existing building or building new, measure the embodied energy in a building and estimate the environmental impact with a life cycle assessment of your heritage building.

Consider these heritage and sustainability facts before you start your project

Life cycle assessment projects

These projects used a life cycle assessment to measure and compare the environmental impact of a rehabilitation project compared to new construction. They demonstrate the environmental benefits of preserving existing buildings.

See examples of life cycle assessment projects

Rehabilitated heritage buildings

Sensitive repairs, alterations and/or additions to historic places are an important part of cultural sustainability and lowering the environmental impact of new construction.

Learn how cultural sustainability can be part of your building plans

Greening your home

Older buildings can be environmentally friendly without compromising their character defining features.

Save energy at home while keeping heritage features intact

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.