This seminar will showcase the benefits of saving historic buildings from an economic, sustainable and wellness standpoint and as a means to involve and empower the community to achieve successful results for all stakeholders. From five case studies, participants will take away specific strategies and technical advice to extend the physical AND functional life of a historic building addition/renovation, breathing new life to the building in service the community. Input from the community can completely change the direction of a project and set the tone for the community's major investment while preventing a project from going in directions that will prove less cost effective. This seminar highlights multiple approaches to working with communities in order to maximize the wellness design and extend the purposeful life of the building. By working with the community, teams can anticipate challenges and uncover creative solutions that in the end produce a more intuitive design that can lead to less costs, better health and a happier community. Participants in this seminar will gain an understanding of how working with the community improves the quality of a design, saves the important historic fabric, while providing a brighter connection between the past and future.