Sustainable renovation

November 2018

Improving Homes for Energy, Health and Environment
 

The Pebble Trust has produced a guide to the sustainable renovation of existing buildings, which was launched in Inverness and Stirling in November.

From the Pebble Trust website

"For the past year we have been developing a guide to the sustainable renovation of existing homes in partnership with John Gilbert Architects, the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA), Historic Environment Scotland and the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland.  In the guide, we describe ten ways in which those involved in the retrofit and renovation of Scotland’s homes can improve upon current practice, achieving better energy performance while simultaneously gaining wider sustainability benefits.  We look at a more balanced approach that values energy efficiency equally with the health of occupants and the long-term durability of buildings, and that considers the reality of buildings as built, rather than the theoretical models which tend to inform policy and practice.  We look at how we can better engage with people, and learn from established conservation practice to help with the practicalities of working with older buildings.

"The work is based heavily on BPE (Building Performance Evaluation) studies in which investigators study the actual performance of buildings once built, rather than the calculated predictions routinely used, and the real experience of people within these buildings. 
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"This guide will be of interest to anyone working with existing buildings, including those working in central and local government, housing associations, architects, surveyors, builders and homeowners."

The book is free to download as a PDF, or printed copies are available, priced at £10 (the cost of printing) plus UK P & P of £3.25, from the Pebble Trust. 

TBI has obtained a number of copies, which will be on sale at the next Fortrose, Cromarty and Kessock markets.