Sea level rise and storm surge are no longer abstract threats—they’re already affecting the historic House of the Seven Gables campus in Salem, Massachusetts. In partnership with The Gables Settlement Association and a team of engineers, environmental consultants, and preservation experts, Union contributed to a comprehensive adaptation plan that protects this nationally significant site for generations to come.
The report, Preserving History: Assessments and Climate Adaptations at the House of the Seven Gables, outlines an ambitious multi-phase roadmap. Rather than focusing solely on near-term repairs, the plan looks ahead to 2070, anticipating future conditions and proposing resilient strategies that include site drainage, building retrofits, and—ultimately—a managed retreat to preserve both place and purpose.
This forward-thinking effort reflects the Gables’ long history of adaptation. The site is no stranger to change, and with this plan, its legacy as a cultural and community resource will continue to evolve in step with the climate.