Low Energy Retrofit
PASSIVE RESILIENCE
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
Moisture models: https://wufi.de/en/
Responsible retrofit guidance wheel http://responsible-retrofit.org/wheel/
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.