Past blueprints inspiring future footprints: The case for historic buildings (part 3)
Hello again! This is part 3, the final installment, of Lydia Loopesko fascinating exploration of the UK's historic building stock.
This three-part series on importance of historic buildings for greening our building stock is divided into three discussions:
Part 3: Reduce, Reuse, Retrofit – making a case for maintaining and restoring historic buildings
The previous two entries of this three-part series covered a brief history of the UK’s building stock and how it can help us adapt to changing climatic conditions. In this last section, we examine how upgrading these buildings makes them not only more climate-friendly but also provides positive economic and social impacts.?
The challenges of retrofitting historic buildings
A building’s operational carbon footprint comes from two main activities: energy use and maintenance. There are many upgrades that can easily be performed to improve the energy efficiency of a historic structure. Replacing the windows, draught-proofing, and installing insulation under the roof and in crawlspaces are often pointed to as easy fixes, but can lead to more damp if done improperly. Historic England produces guidance on how to make historic buildings more energy efficient and points to these fixes as some of the simple measures that can be undertaken. However, they also caution that any retrofits must use ‘a “whole building” approach that can help in meeting the combined objectives of increasing energy efficiency and sustaining significance in heritage assets.’ Understanding significance is no easy feat, with entire careers based around the issue.
The significance of a heritage asset is a subjective issue and yet is intrinsic to how a building is listed. Historic England defines significance based on a building’s historic, architectural, or archaeological interest. Whether the various interests of a listed building remains intact following an intervention will determine whether planning permission is required. Planning decisions are often made with the input of an external consultant, which can bring up the cost of a retrofit. According to Historic England, consent for work is needed for any ‘listed building that involves alterations, extensions or demolition and will affect its character.’ The ambiguities of what exactly Historic England means by this phrase is indicative of the inherent difficulties of renovating historic structures to make them more energy efficient. However, simple alterations such as insulating the roof from the inside are unlikely to affect a building’s significance and should therefore require less red tape, so long as the structure remains unaltered.?
There are fantastic examples of historic building refurbishments that elevate both the operational carbon efficiency and utilisation of these significant buildings with spectacular results. The Architectural Heritage Fund showcases case studies of buildings across the UK that have been transformed to achieve modern requirements of energy efficiency, while maintaining their meaningful features. For example, the Leeds Library is one of the oldest surviving public subscription libraries in the UK. It now serves as a culture, arts and education hub, with an EPC rating of C.? However, reusing old buildings is not only more eco-friendly, it comes with a number of environmental, economic, and social benefits.
The environmental case for retrofitting
Despite the academic discussions of what why a historic building is significant, what is important for this discussion is that the building was created in history, meaning it is already built. That single fact makes an existing building more climate friendly than any future building. After all, the greenest building is that which is already built, so retrofitting and reusing buildings becomes an important tool in tackling emissions[Hui1]?. Reusing existing building fabric can significantly decrease the material extraction, energy and emissions that come from building anew.
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The construction industry is responsible for 11% of total GHG emissions much of which can be traced to the creation of concrete and the greenhouse gasses produced in sourcing and transporting building materials. As it forms the cement used for concrete expels CO2. Concrete is therefore thought to contribute between 4-8% of all global carbon emissions. Yet the high compressive strength, flexible form, and accessibility of concrete make it now the second most-used product in the world after water, and one of the most significant challenges of emissions reductions in the construction sector. However, these high emissions can be avoided by maintaining and reusing existing structures. The proper maintenance, adaption, and management of existing buildings can help reduce energy pressures and lead to greater energy efficiency, and in most cases, constitutes the simplest, most cost-effective, and readily achievable energy conservation step.
But beyond maintenance, historic buildings can also be retrofitted to become more ecological. A perfect example lies in Edinburgh, where, despite being a World Heritage Site, solar panels were installed across the city, even on the castle roof. These panels were placed in such a way that they were hidden from view from the street or the castle parapet. Such additions are helping the city reach its climate goals while also maintaining the significance of the World Heritage Label. Another World Heritage Site, the Sydney Opera House, has achieved an overall reduction of its energy consumption by 14% by opting for more energy efficient lighting and renovating its seawater cooling system used to keep the building cool.
The economic case
Retrofitting buildings is not only greener but can also foster greater economic development to lower income areas, which are often those that contain older building stock. Several studies show that the regeneration of downtowns and the adaptive reuse of historic assets can be used by local populations to drive the economic development of a city. Such an economic boon comes not only from the multiple jobs created from restoration projects, but also from a renewed interest in the area and community engagement. A clear example is provided by the use of the UNESCO World Heritage label which provides certifiable authenticity and integrity for the area on which it is bestowed and has seen proven increases in tourism, and with it the economic growth of the area. Many regeneration projects across the UK use the character and sense of place to bring people back to city centres. Seaham, in County Durham, is a perfect example of a town that highlighted its historic buildings in its successful regeneration project. Numerous other examples of successful heritage-led regeneration projects can be found across the country.
The social case
Not only does reusing buildings lead to economic development, it also contributes to a greater sense of cultural identity and place. People flock to World Heritage Sites because they are unique and have character. Many older buildings that are not listed are still appreciated by local people for their character and lend a uniqueness and diversity that people cherish. According to a 2018 Historic England survey, the country saw a 50% rise in businesses operating out of listed buildings, with commercial owners reporting that historic buildings provided a “positive image to customers and clients” by offering “unique places that are full of character… something different, and are an alternative to average corporate office buildings”. Retrofitting older structures not only reduces carbon emissions but contributes to maintaining the cultural cityscape and sense of community many of us hold dear.
Looking ahead
As the climate crisis becomes more acute, the UK is in desperate need to cut its emissions. The construction sector saw an overall increase of 12% emissions in 2021. The building sector has a significant footprint with construction accounting for 2.4% of the nation’s total emissions and building use a whopping 17% of national emissions. As the UK looks to lower its emissions, it will have to incentivise retrofitting and updating its building stock. The UK’s ample historic but provide a more cost-friendly, socially conscious and economically beneficial option. They offer a blueprint for changing our carbon footprint.?
And that's a wrap on the fantastic series by Lydia Loopesko ! ??