A sustainable approach to existing buildings
The buildings of the future are already with us. The challenge for us all is to make our existing buildings more energy efficient and healthy to live in.
Since 1992 Gale & Snowden has been at the forefront of developing ways to reduce the impact on the environment of our existing buildings. The Practice has undertaken extensive research into low environmental impact refurbishment and conversion as well as undertaking a range of built projects over the years, putting this research work into practical use.
As with the Practice’s new build work, simple passive design strategies are employed to reduce the need for energy, making the building more comfortable and using less resources to run. The type of the interventions planned are dependent on the nature of the existing building, but they all include:
- understanding the building biology of the existing building so that any interventions are sympathetic
- increasing insulation levels throughout
- increasing air tightness levels
- reducing thermal bridging
- assessing correct daylight levels are achieved where possible
- reviewing heating, ventilation hot water systems to work together efficiently
- employing healthy building design
The practice’s experience includes undertaking refurbishment and conversion work to a range of existing buildings including Listed structures. The Practice's work towards reducing the environmental impact of existing buildings has been recognised as being exemplary in a number of publications including:
- RIBA ‘Sustainable Architecture’
- The Carbon Trust / BRE - Good Practice Guides 293 external wall insulation for dwellings
- Westminster City Council Design Guide for Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Conservation Areas
- EST / BRE Survey of well-insulated housing refurbishment projects
