Thermal upgrades in traditional buildings – a multi factored approach

Abstract

Balancing the needs of building conservation and carbon reduction, whilst often considered a challenge, it can also be an opportunity. This paper will start by outlining some refurbishment principles that have been followed by Historic Environment Scotland in a conservation-based approach to the refurbishment of traditional buildings. The principles develop themes in building conservation and retrofit discussed by Historic Environment Scotland and other heritage organisations and add in more recent thinking on resources, embodied carbon, the circular economy and climate change to give what might be called a ‘multifactored approach’. These factors or considerations are not new in heritage work but are not often considered in mainstream, less conservation focussed refurbishment projects. These factors go beyond issues of heritage conservation alone and allow the experience and findings of conservation sector to be part of a wider sustainability movement in the built environment, where the retrofit of existing older buildings of all types, protected or otherwise, are seen as part of the solution, not the problem. By adopting a conservation approach in all buildings more carbon can be saved, and more buildings retrofitted appropriately.