BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment Assessment

Posted on: 15 June 2012
By: mackene
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BREEAM Refurbishment for domestic buildings has been launched following a pilot scheme involving more than 200 homes. The assessment method is suitable for use on projects from home improvements, such as replacing windows and fitting new insulation, to developments, whether multiple to single dwellings. It has also been developed to align with the government’s green deal, the incentive scheme for energy efficiency improvements. It pinpoints those elements of the refurbishment that will bring the greatest returns and provides a methodology, software tool and certification for those responsible for the delivery of sustainable domestic refurbishment projects. As well as addressing overall sustainability issues, the scheme can help specific initiatives to tackle fuel poverty, reduce flooding and security risks, and enhance the health and wellbeing of tenants and householders. The BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment technical manual is now available on the BREEAM website, along with case studies from some of the pilot projects.

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Invest in innovative refurb. Watford, 26 April 2012

Posted on: 3 May 2012
By: mackene
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The Modern Built Environment Knowledge Transfer Network ran this industry engagement workshop with the National Refurbishment Centre. More than 100 members of the retrofit community gathered at a special workshop ahead of a £10million programme on retrofit solutions for the non-domestic buildings. The programme will help showcase innovative technologies and processes that can be used to make significant energy savings in existing buildings such as schools, shops, offices and hotels.  Presentations from this workshop are now available. Please note you must be a member of this network to view the outputs.

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BREEAM domestic refurbishment

Posted on: 30 April 2012
By: mackene
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The BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment assessment manual is due to be released on 11th June 2012 following the incorporation of peer review comments from independent experts into the scheme document and final approval from the BRE Global Governing Body. Providing a rating of Pass to Outstanding, BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment will evaluate the environmental credentials of refurbishment projects based upon BREEAM’s UKAS accredited certification standards already applied to over 200,000 buildings around the world. Developed as a tool for designers, financiers, policy makers, developers, planning authorities and landlords, BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment will give confidence that housing refurbishment meets best environmental practice by saving carbon, water and waste, being adaptable to climate change and providing a healthy indoor environment for occupants.

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Retrofit 2012. Salford, 24-26 January 2012

Posted on: 17 April 2012
By: mackene
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Retrofit 2012 provided leading researchers, policy makers and industry professionals with the opportunity to report on the three main issues for UK energy policy: Carbon emissions, fuel poverty, and energy security. Retrofit 2012 included the latest research findings, and brought together leading academics, politicians and leading industry partners.  The three day event, had the following themes running throughout: Policy and regulation; Models, performance and evaluation; Communities, people and behaviours; Technology and materials; and Skills, jobs and economic development. Keynote presentations and papers are available online.

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Reinventing architecture and interiors: the past, the present and the future. London, 29-30 March 2012

Posted on: 17 April 2012
By: mackene
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The history of design has traditionally been a story of new ideas, new theories and, above all, new construction. However, today, the developed world is on the cusp of a new era. The financial crisis, the sustainability movement and the conservation agenda are all leading to ever more alterations of existing buildings and ever fewer new build projects. This new condition will have major consequences for all those involved in the design of the built environment both now and in the future. The objective of this conference is to examine the practice of interior design and architectural re-use in the context of this new condition, and look at historical tendencies, current conditions and future possibilities. Papers are available online.

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Legal framework for energy-efficient renovation

Posted on: 3 April 2012
By: mackene
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This document, covering the theme of legal framework for energy efficient renovation is the 2nd in a series of 6 mini-guides for the CASH project, a network of 11 partners which seeks to reduce the energy consumption of buildings and in buildings http://urbact.eu/en/projects/low-carbon-urban-environments/cash/homepage/. Availability of affordable and energy efficient housing is not only a technical or financial matter. European Directives, national/regional/local laws, decrees, ordinances and policies are forming the framework for cities to work within. This mini-guide describes the existing legal playing field for CASH partners from 9 European countries at the local level and shows how they can manoeuvre within the given possibilities to enhance energy performance of affordable housing for social landlords, low income owners or tenants. It also highlights the gaps, barriers, local needs and the potential solutions for a bottom-up approach more in line with local context.

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Retrofit for housing. Manchester, 2 February 2012

Posted on: 13 March 2012
By: mackene
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Retrofitting is considered to be the single biggest challenge facing the social housing sector today. This event aimed to seek answers to the retrofit challenge and discuss viable solutions to the Green Deal. This seminar was aimed at senior decision makers in strategy and planning, finance, business development, asset management, procurement and those with regeneration and sustainability responsibilities in housing organisations. Presentations are available online.

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Refurbishing Europe: An EU strategy for energy efficiency and climate action led by building refurbishment

Posted on: 1 March 2012
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The report identifies a range of barriers, political, structural, industrial and social, that presently prevent more rapid and beneficial action on energy efficiency, and highlights and discusses necessary actions to accelerate the rate of low-energy refurbishment of Europe’s buildings.

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Office to residential conversion: Where the action is?

Posted on: 1 February 2012
By: isadm
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On 4 November 2011, the Urban Land Institute held a seminar to consider Government proposals to relax planning rules for conversion of office space to residential use. This is a report of the event.

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Sustainable Building Solutions

Posted on: 24 January 2012
By: mackene
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A new website by the Travis Perkins Group offers technical sustainability expertise for new build and refurbishment projects. Aimed at builders and specifiers, the Sustainable Building Solutions site includes standard construction details, technical advice and recommended products and services. The site also has a technical helpline for customers, which is managed by BRE.

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