FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 18, 2024
The Astrodome Conservancy released the results of a Carbon Impact study today which compares the environmental implications of preservation and redevelopment of the Astrodome versus that of demolition. The study, “Carbon Impact of Astrodome Preservation & Repositioning,” was conducted by architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler and is a crucial tool in determining the value of the Astrodome and its potential redevelopment.
According to the study which evaluates the carbon footprint of the Astrodome, preserving and repositioning the existing Astrodome will have a 76% lower carbon impact compared to replacing it with a new, in-kind building. Repositioning the landmark for new uses will further enhance its value by extending its lifecycle and making it more adaptable to modern needs while preserving its historic significance.
This analysis considers existing embodied carbon, upfront embodied carbon (carbon emissions from material production, transportation, and construction), carbon associated with demolition, and operational carbon (emissions from energy use during the building’s lifecycle.
Preserving the Astrodome with a dual focus on cultural legacy and environmental sustainability creates a balance between the past and the future, demonstrating that historic preservation and carbon reduction can work together to shape a more sustainable, culturally rich world for generations to come, as noted in the study.
Under the leadership of Gensler’s Global Design Resilience team, the Carbon Impact study utilized the internationally recognized CARE (Carbon Avoided Retrofit Estimator) and OneClick Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) tools — the gold standards for assessing and evaluating environmental performance of buildings.
“This study demonstrates that the reuse and repositioning of the Astrodome will have economic, environmental, and community impacts,” said Beth Wiedower Jackson, Executive Director. “We can reduce operational costs for the Astrodome, generate needed revenue in an entertainment
destination, and bring Houston together through programmed events and activities year-round. All while lowering the carbon and environmental emissions for the health of our city and the world.”
The “Carbon Impact of Astrodome Preservation & Repositioning” supports the Astrodome Conservancy’s Vision: Astrodome concept for an innovative, financially viable, and sustainable redevelopment released in November of this year. The Astrodome Conservancy is currently exploring opportunities to monetize the carbon savings of preservation and repositioning in the form of carbon offset credits.
“The repositioning of the Astrodome provides a sustainable solution that balances the needs of the present and the future. The Astrodome can be an example of how cultural heritage can be preserved while contributing to broader climate objectives for the future,” said Rives Taylor, Gensler’s Global Design Resilience Research Lead and Principal. The Astrodome Conservancy’s Carbon Impact study was supported by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
About the Astrodome Conservancy
The Astrodome Conservancy, founded in 2016, is the private, non-profit champion of the landmark Astrodome on behalf of the people of Houston and Harris County. Our mission is to promote the Astrodome’s legacy through preservation and development, advocate for public access, and create programming that inspires and engages. To date, the Conservancy has raised and invested more than $3.5 Million (and counting) of private and philanthropic dollars to advance our mission and ensure a bright future for Houston’s iconic Astrodome.
About Gensler
At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.