At Footprint Architects, we recognise the value of our existing buildings. As retrofit architects, we see retrofit as one of the best opportunities to improve the environment in our towns and cities while reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings already around us.
At a time of a climate emergency, when the construction industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, thoughtful retrofitting can deliver lasting sustainable benefits and significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with the built environment.
Retaining and improving existing buildings also preserves the materials, energy and craftsmanship already invested in them. A carefully planned retrofit can extend a building’s useful life, improve comfort and performance and ensure it remains relevant to the changing needs of its occupants.
Why Retrofit an Existing Building?
The embodied carbon of associated with a new build can be as much as twice that of retrofitting an existing building. The structure of a building typically accounts for a significant portion of its embodied carbon, often ranging from 50% to 70%. Production of new concrete and steel typically has some of the highest levels of embodied carbon. So why replace a buildings structure if you don’t need to?
A good retrofit and renovation can prevent health risks from damp or mouldy environments, reduce fuel poverty and can make our existing buildings sustainable for the future.
Retrofit can also reduce running costs, improve thermal comfort and help buildings become more resilient to warmer summers and changing weather conditions. The most effective approach considers the building as a whole, recognising that improvements to insulation, ventilation, heating and airtightness must work together rather than being treated in isolation.
“It’s important to consider the whole house as a system, looking at not just energy bills but also at comfort, aesthetics, heritage and maintenance needs.”
Our Expertise in Retrofit
Our architects have worked extensively with existing heritage buildings, adapting them for exciting new uses and maximising their potential. Such as transforming Bobby’s in Bournemouth, an existing former department store to offer an experience-led shopping experience within a nostalgic aesthetic.
Every existing building presents different opportunities and constraints. At Footprint, we begin by understanding the site’s constitution, condition, historic significance and current energy performance, before developing a coordinated retrofit strategy. This enables improvements to be targeted where they will provide the greatest long-term benefit while retaining the qualities that give the building its character.
How do you Retrofit a Building?
1.
We prioritise passive sustainable design principles to improve the existing building envelope and reduce heat loss. This includes;
- Adding additional breathable, non-combustible insulation with low embodied carbon.
- Improving airtightness
- Upgrading draughty windows for new high performance, triple glazed windows
The suitability of each measure depends of the age and construction of the building. In traditional buildings, materials nest be carefully selected to allow moisture to move through the fabric and avoid creating problems with condensation, damp or decay.
2.
Finding clever ways to introduce new natural daylight or solar shading to reduce the reliance on artificial lighting and carbon intensive cooling systems.
Well-positioned openings, roof lights and shading can improve the quality of internal spaces while helping to control overheating. These elements need to be considered alongside orientation, glazing and ventilation to create a comfortable and balanced internal environment.
3.
Upgrade the mechanical and electrical services to make them more energy efficient. Such as:
- Refurbishing old light fittings with sustainable LED lighting. Our Lush factory refurbishment in Poole uses refurbished industrial light fittings to create a bold new aesthetic.
- Improved insulation means that new heating systems can often be made smaller.
- Use of mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (MVHR) to minimise heat loss and improve air quality.
- Addition of solar PV where possible to reduce operational carbon emissions.
- Use of modern building management systems that can carefully analyse and control heating and cooling systems based on building usage. It is important that these systems are not only intuitive, but easy to use and understand by building occupants.
Services should be designed around the improved performance of the building fabric rather than considered separately. Reducing energy demand first can allow smaller, more efficient systems to be installed and can avoid unnecessary equipment, cost and maintenance.
4.
Use of natural building materials to create healthy environments and improve indoor air quality, such as internal timber cladding to reduce the need for high VOC paint finishes. We prioritise the use of locally sourced, sustainable building products with low embodied carbon where possible.
Material selection also considers durability, maintenance, responsible sourcing and future reuse. By retaining existing materials where possible and introducing new materials carefully, retrofit can reduce waste while creating healthier and more characterful spaces.
A successful retrofit is not simply a collection of upgrades. It is a coordinated process that balances energy performance, moisture, ventilation, heritage, comfort, cost and the long-term use of the building.
Our Retrofit Projects
An office refurbishment converting and restoring a historic bakery
A Historic Renovation of a Grade II Listed Building into an Uplifting Coworking Space
Retrofitting our existing buildings and making them more energy efficient is vital if the UK is to meet our 2050 net zero carbon targets. At Footprint Architects, all of our new buildings are designed to be flexible, with longevity and robustness in mind. This makes them ideal for future retrofit and reuse.
Get Your Project Off The Ground
Get in touch today to kick-start your project. Let us know a few details and we’ll be in touch to discuss bringing your vision to life. Or call us on 01202 818 966