Learn about green technology in historic buildings

Submitted by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley

On Saturday, April 13, Mark Nussbaum of Architectural Consulting Engineers will present his talk on “Historic Structures & Green Technology” at the Fabyan Villa Museum.

Historic buildings are one of the most “green” and sustainable class of buildings around. Yet many challenges are encountered in designing efficient and sustainable mechanical systems while preserving a building’s historic elements.

Nussbaum will illustrate some potential pitfalls and solutions that have been successfully implemented on many landmark structures throughout the region, as well as highlight the new geothermal system installed at the historic Fabyan Villa. The program will be at 10 a.m. at the Fabyan Villa in Geneva, where a geothermal system was installed this past fall.

Nussbaum is a mechanical engineer specializing in the preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. He has an extensive background designing mechanical systems and implementing sustainable “green” technologies in historic structures — the Fabyan Villa Museum in Geneva being a recent project designed by him. He has worked on landmark structures throughout the United States, including Wright’s Unity Temple, Robie House and Dana-Thomas House; Sullivan’s Holy Trinity Cathedral; Maher’s Pleasant Home; and the Woodrow Wilson Townhouse in Washington, D.C.

The program, sponsored by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, will take place in the Fabyan Villa Museum. It will include an opportunity to see the mechanical elements as well as feel the effects of the system. Space is limited; call (630) 377-6424 or email fabyanvilla@ppfv.org to reserve a seat. Admission is $5; Preservation Partners members are free.

The program will take place within the Fabyan Villa Museum. The museum is located within the Fabyan West Forest Preserve, north of Fabyan Parkway on Route 31 (Batavia Avenue).