RIAS QUARTERLY |Spring 2020

Conservation: we need to talk about Retrofit

Article by Ben Rainger, EAA President


The preservation of our valuable built environment is all the more complicated by the Climate Emergency. RICS estimates that 70% of the buildings currently standing will still be here in 2050 when we are to have achieved net zero carbon emissions. As well as decarbonising the energy grid there need to be moves to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. This is a particular problem for historic buildings, especially if they are listed, in Conservation Areas or a World Heritage site, such as in Edinburgh.

Currently only about 0.5-1% of our buildings are renovated annually. A significant increase in the rate of existing building energy efficiency renovations along with the generation and procurement of renewable energy is required to meet emissions reductions targets set by the Paris Agreement and be zero carbon by 2050.



Edinburgh has a particular issue with the World heritage site and surrounding New Town conservation areas. Conservation and energy efficiency will need to work together, along with the government, which needs to develop a notional infrastructure policy with appropriate long term investment that takes account of the particular issues of dealing with listed and other significant buildings and conservation areas where is isn’t appropriate or suitable to over-clad with insulation and render and retention of existing features is important. The retention of the local character is as important as the reduction in carbon emissions.

Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) have set out a route map to achieving nearly zero carbon by 2050. However, with the new Scottish Government Climate Change target of 2045, this does not go far enough and does not appropriately cover conservation of existing buildings. This also needs to support building owners to deliver the necessary upgrades and energy efficiency improvements. We can’t wait for home improvements upon sale of properties but need a comprehensive coordinated strategy to improve and conserve our building stock across the country.

A significant tool in achieving this is to reduce VAT on refurbishments with that of new-builds to level the playing field. Government Planning policy should work hand in hand with this to priorities the retention of existing buildings to reduce the embodied carbon associated with the demolition of our existing infrastructure and replacement with new buildings. Retrofitting provides an opportunity to deliver significant carbon savings through reuse as well as the potential to create new highly skilled construction jobs.

Removing the 15% VAT penalty for retaining an existing building opens up opportunities and encourages the consideration of retrofit first instead of the incentive to demolish and replace. The evolution of Victorian and Georgian properties from homes to offices and beyond shows the adaptability of existing buildings. As architects we have the skills to enable and support this change of approach.

We also need a policy structure that protects existing buildings, stopping owners from letting them fall into ruin as a development strategy. Placing a responsibility on the owner, whilst providing the infrastructure to support repairs, upgrades and retrofitting. We need to look at the adaptability of our building stock, to see the potential. This benefits not just the environment, but society. It enables existing communities to remain in-situ and be part of the change. Successful retrofits show us that it is possible to conserve our built heritage, adapting it to meet todays needs and reduce carbon emissions.

 

Christina Gaiger