Above: (Left to right) Aythan, Joanne and Paul discuss the finer points of retrofit in the Monday morning show
The first presentation of the 2024 Green Home Festival saw a surveyor, architect and builder talk through what “retrofit” means in practice and outline the right approach to a retrofit project for your home.
With homeowners and other potential retrofit clients confused over the process and the way public funding schemes work, the show began with an explanation of the context around retrofit today.
Using case studies, our three construction professionals covered the roadblocks to retrofit and the pitfalls to be avoided. They explained what a whole building retrofit could entail, as well as discussing the importance of retrofitting for sustainability and energy efficiency.
While the main focus was on domestic retrofit whole house projects, our three construction professionals also outlined their experience in delivering retrofit across various building types and large-scale retrofit projects as follows:
- The role of a surveyor: Aythan Lewes covered detailed building assessments, structural integrity, assessment of existing systems – including insulation, wall thickness, building material type and HVAC – providing key information for the consumer and other experts, energy performance analysis and identification of areas needing improvement, data collection and reporting, and laying the groundwork for design and planning.
- The role of an architect: Joanne McClelland touched on designing retrofit solutions and improving energy efficiency, detailed drawings and guidance through the e-planning service, ensuring compliance with building codes, integrating surveyor data into design, balancing functionality, sustainability and aesthetics, and collaborating with builders to ensure feasibility.
- The role of a builder: Paul Dempsey explained how professional builders work with surveyors, architects and homeowners in the execution of retrofit plans. Examples included structural modifications, fabric and system upgrades – including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, insulation, double glazing and clean heating systems – and how to ensure safety and compliance during construction and managing project timelines and budgets.
Good retrofit is a collaborative process which, when done right, can achieve effective decarbonisation of homes. The show therefore concluded with a case study on how effective collaboration delivers good retrofit, illustrating how to go about it.
- Download a PDF presentation from this show here.
Left to right: The FMB’s Gordon Nelson with Aythan, Paul and Joanne after the show
