Sarah Liu

Background

Sarah earned her BA in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont, where she specialized in building-systems documentation and heritage-preservation policy. She moved to New England in 2011 and has spent 15 years coordinating HVAC projects in historic buildings—residential retrofits, commercial conversions, and preservation-focused maintenance.

She brings a builder's attention to detail and a preservationist's respect for original materials and design intent.

Expertise

• Historic building assessment: Understanding era-specific construction, materials, and thermal character
• Retrofit planning: Scoping replacement work with minimal structural disruption
• Heritage preservation compliance: Massachusetts and federal guidelines for historic properties
• Client communication: Translating technical specifications into clear, actionable plans
• Budget and scheduling: Coordinating multiphase projects with contractors and occupants

Philosophy

Sarah sees every building as having a story written in its materials and systems. A radiator system is not just equipment; it's evidence of how the building was meant to perform thermally. When change is necessary, she designs it with respect for that history while delivering modern comfort and efficiency.

"The goal is not to preserve a building in amber," she says. "It's to keep it alive and functional for the people who live or work in it, using methods that honor the original craft."

Community

Sarah is on the board of the New Bedford Historic District Commission and teaches an annual seminar at the University of Vermont's Historic Preservation program on building systems in 19th-century New England homes.

Contact Sarah

For retrofit consultation or project planning, reach out and mention you'd like to work with Sarah. She specializes in complex scoping and heritage-preservation questions.