Toward the sustainable adaptation of existing facilities

Abstract

PurposeMuch of the existing commercial building stock in Western Australia has the ability to adapt to varying conditions such as climate change, which provides some potential for reusability and sustainability. Current sustainability assessment systems tend to be relevant only for new construction. The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) to address this gap by considering the influence of occupant behaviour on performance.Design/methodology/approachFeedback provided from 39 stakeholders during a public review of NABERS and a subsequent trial of NABERS on nine office buildings in Sydney and Victoria are examined. The data are obtained from the Department of Environment and Heritage and NSW Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (now the Department of Environment and Climate Change).FindingsAssessment of the environment performance of existing facilities is needed to improve their energy efficiency. These findings need to be given serious thought when considering an adaptation strategy or the construction of a new facility. From a sustainability perspective, it will almost always be a more viable option to use an adaptive re‐use strategy. The use of adaptation will require clients and designers to re‐examine how their facilities are to be used and require them to embrace whole‐life costing and the use of innovative materials and technologies.Originality/valueAdaptive re‐use has received limited attention in Australia, as there has been a tendency to demolish or construct new buildings in response to client demands. However, adaptation is proving to be an effective strategy in ensuring a sustainable built environment. This research provides the impetus and foundations for exploring the invaluable role of adaptation and energy efficiency of existing facilities.