PASSIVE RESILIENCE

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Recorded by Sofie Pelsmakers, images by Essi Nisonen and Veera Saastamoinen

KEY READINGS 

  • Grecchi, Manuela. Building Renovation: How to Retrofit and Reuse Existing Buildings to Save Energy and Respond to New Needs. Cham: Springer International Publishing AG

  • Baker, Nick, The Handbook of Sustainable Refurbishment : Non-Domestic Buildings. London, Earthscan

  • Baeli, Marion. Residential Retrofit : 20 Case Studies. London: RIBA

  • Penoyre and Prasad, Retrofit for Purpose: Low Energy Upgrade of Non-Domestic Buildings, RIBA Publishing

  • Dixon et al. Urban Retrofitting for Sustainability Mapping the Transition to 2050, Routledge

  • Historic Environment Scotland, Guide to Energy Retrofit of Traditional Buildings

  • Kimpian, J., Hartman, H., Pelsmakers, S.  Energy, People Buildings: Making Sustainable Architecture Work, RIBA Publishing

  • Rynska, Elzbieta et al. Design Solutions for NZEB Retrofit Buildings. Hershey: IGI Global, 2018. Web.

  • Wilkinson, Sara, and Tim Dixon. Green Roof Retrofit : Building Urban Resilience. Ed. Sara Wilkinson and Tim Dixon. West Sussex, Wiley Blackwell

  • Sayce, Sarah et al. Resilient Building Retrofits: Combating the Climate Crisis. Milton: CRC Press LLC

  • Stahl, Thomas, and Karim Ghazi Wakili. Energy-Efficient Retrofit of Buildings by Interior Insulation: Materials, Methods, and Tools. San Diego: Elsevier Science & Technology

  • Database of UK low energy projects, including retrofit www.lowenergybuildings.org.uk/

TOOLS

INSPIRATIONAL BUILT EXAMPLES

  • Anne Thore Architects, Angela Carter Close, UK

  • 2E Architects, Ernerley Close, UK

  • ECD Architects, Wilmcote House, UK

  • John Christophers, Zero Carbon House, Birmingham, UK

LOW ENERGY RETROFIT

Architects need to prevent building demolition and should transform the existing fabric instead of building new. Low energy retrofit not only reduces carbon emissions, resource use and urban sprawl, but also tackles social injustices (e.g. energy poverty) and energy security. Designing low energy retrofits is not just upgrading for energy efficiency, but also involves:

•       Enhancing carbon storage by rewilding and using bio-based materials

•       Circular economy principles and use of non-virgin materials

•       Future proofing through future climate change adaptation

•       Multifunctionality and adaptability, reducing excess floor area and sharing of spaces

Avoid unintended consequences that affect health and well being or jeopardises the building fabric and that does not materialise energy and carbon reductions.

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Retrofit Unintended Circumstances

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Insulation