Sustainable Refurbishment

Book excerpt: Sustainable Refurbishment Governments across the EU and developed countries are increasingly being directed towards improving existing built stock as a key ingredient to meeting climate change challenges. This guide to green ‘retro-fitting’ for corporate real estate, facility managers and occupiers struggling to reduce their building’s carbon footprint will help in the planning and management of a sustainable refurbishment programme. Sustainable Refurbishment is structured into four parts: the first gives the context, together with an overview on sustainable development and refurbishment projects separately, and the value gained from a sustainable refurbishment. Part Two details the regulatory and financial drivers, together with market pressures, and provides an overview of where this is leading, giving the implications for sustainable refurbishment. Part Three provides technical support on carbon measures, helping to determine the feasibility of good practices as part of the refurbishment. Included is a review of energy efficiency, renewable and low carbon technologies and embodied carbon to enable lifecycle carbon calculations, together with the necessary behavioural change aspects needed to embed the changes. Linkages and benefits between the technologies will be highlighted. Part Four reviews refurbishment from a wider environmental perspective, understanding the challenges and opportunities that exist for particular developments from a materials, water, biodiversity and transport perspective. Throughout the book, checklists are provided on typical activities and best practice; these are expanded through relevant case studies and examples to show-case previous good practices and lessons learnt. The book’s structure allows a matrix approach, with Parts Three and Four containing the technical information necessary to deliver sustainable refurbishment. The book provides a much-needed link between policy-level commitment and detailed technical delivery. This easily digestible and authoritative review of the key issues in green retro-fitting is crucial for facilities managers; building surveyors; property managers/owners; and corporate real estate involved in sustainable refurbishment by offering the practical support needed to make it happen. OTHER BOOKS OF INTEREST: Sustainable Practice for the Facilities Manager Shah 978 14051 35573 Delivering Sustainable Buildings A Practical Guide for Contractors to Low Carbon, Energy Efficient and Renewable Technologies Malina 978 14051 94174 Facilities Change Management Finch 978 14051 53461 Enhancing Building Performance Mallory-Hill, et al. 978 04705 57591