We Recycle Bottles. Why Don’t We Recycle Buildings?

To confront climate change, we need to make the most of the buildings we already have.

In New York City, the historic Farley Post Office Building is being transformed into the new Moynihan Train Hall—a critical part of the redevelopment of Penn Station. Image © Empire State Development, courtesy of SOM | Methanoia

By Frank Mahan and Van Kluytenaar

By all appearances, American cities are becoming greener than ever before. Sustainable design has gone mainstream, LEED-certified buildings are commonplace, and redeveloped…