What We Do

For more than 15 years, we have assisted historic, under-served neighborhoods in New Orleans & Kansas City by restoring homes, businesses & churches and revitalizing community gardens & other outdoor spaces to create more healthier, resilient places.

Our Mission

It began w/ a simple idea: How do we help a Gulf Coast community build back better in the wake of one of the worst hurricanes in more than a century? The world responded w/ unprecedented humanitarian aid & some of the greenest homes on the planet - but many historic homes & businesses were untouched. How to help rebuild in a more sustainable, energy-efficient way while incorporating historic preservation principles & led by skilled construction professionals? Historic Green was born.

“Part of being centered is being open to the universe and how any act here celebrates that investment of spirit in this place, human sweat, everything, but also embraces the reality of creating a new kind of future and somehow being open to that and expressing it in each act that we do.”

— Bob Berkebile, founder, BNIM Architects & community charrette leader for Holy Cross Neighborhood/Lower 9th Ward, April 2006

What We’ve Achieved

  • Restored more than two dozen historic homes, businesses & churches.

  • Improved the energy efficiency of more than 100 homes through radiant barriers & weatherization measures.

  • Designed & built several dozen rain gardens, bioswales & other green infrastructure elements.

  • Designed & built fences, walkways, arbors, raised beds, shade structures for community gardens and orchards.

  • Hosted more than 2,000 volunteers nationwide since 2008.

  • Partnered w/ more than 25 non-profits & other community organizations in New Orleans & Kansas City.

  • Promoted concept of “Sustainable Preservation” through publishing, lectures in support of U.S. Green Building Council, National Trust for Historic Preservation & other national organizations.