As people and buildings perform differently in different locations and weather conditions there are still many uncertainties and no one-size-fits-all solutions.
We believe that retrofit must be looked at holistically and undertaken with humility in order to produce the best outcomes whilst honestly and openly evaluating what works and what does not in order to improve our understanding and approach.
To learn more please visit the following websites:
The Sustainable and Traditional Building Alliance have developed a knowledge centre to present information to assist decision making and increase learning about the responsible retrofit of traditional buildings. It is intended as a free resource to support a movement for responsible retrofit both at an individual and at a national level.
http://responsible-retrofit.org/
The Tywi Centre aims to promote the care and repair of the old buildings of West Wales through providing information, training and support to homeowners, builders, agents and building professionals.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) believes old buildings have a future. From cottages to castles and from churches to cathedrals we are here to help buildings and the people who care for them. Through our unique training schemes, courses, advice and research we help people put our expertise into practice.
Founded by William Morris in 1877, the SPAB was established in response to the work of Victorian architects whose enthusiasm for harmful restoration caused irreparable damage. Today the SPAB encourages excellence in new design to enrich and complement the built historic environment.
https://www.spab.org.uk/advice/lime-renders-vs-cement-renders
Cadw is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service that protects and promotes its sustainable management for present and future generations.
Historic England is the the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment, their publications includes a suite of technical advice and guidance on improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings.
https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/energy-efficiency-and-historic-buildings/
The Centre for Alternative Technology is an educational charity dedicated to researching and communicating positive solutions for environmental change.
https://www.cat.org.uk/energy-saving-retrofits/
The UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB) is an independent, not for profit, public good organisation led by University College London. The UKCMB works in a rigorous and transparent manner together with partners from academia, government, industry and the public to substantially improve the way moisture risk is understood and managed in the UK.
There is growing evidence to suggest that previous building retrofits are not living up to expectations, often causing harm to the building and the occupants health whilst wasting time, money and resources. The main reasons for this are “incorrect standards and assessment of traditional buildings; single or narrow focus approach to both risks and retrofit measures; disjointed and poor quality building process” (May and Griffiths, 2015, P. 4).
In 2014 roughly three quarters of the built environment emissions were “attributed to operational assets” (things already built) (Giesekam, Tingley and Cotton, 2018). It is predicted that dwellings already built will make up to 80% of homes by the year 2050 (Boardman et al., 2007), making them a prime target for retrofitting.
“Retrofit is not a ‘fit and forget’ activity either in terms of learning or in terms of maintenance” (May and Griffiths, 2015)
Retrofitting to improve energy efficiency and thermal performance of homes may also help to: save resources that would otherwise be wasted through demolition (Power, 2008); reduce fuel poverty by reducing current fuel bills, and minimise the impacts of future energy price rises (Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2013); improve comfort, health and wellbeing (Hansford, 2015); potentially increase the property value by an average of 14% (Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2013).