Beyond Net Zero
Melvin Lau outlines how deep energy plays a key role in holistic retrofit and provides direction to make buildings reach beyond net zero by 2050.
There are several definitions for retrofit that are used by different organisations across the industry. Many of these definitions tend to focus on interventions that increase the energy performance of a building, commonly referred to as a ‘deep energy retrofit’.
Deep energy improvements will of course be critical in the fight against climate change. However, despite its seriousness, the climate crisis is not the only issue that we currently face. There are several other social, environmental and economic factors that are, in many cases, equally as important and need to be addressed. It would therefore be insufficient to define retrofit solely around deep energy, as this diverts away from these other issues and the myriad of benefits that can result from a successful retrofit project.
Due to its holistic nature, and the spectrum of issues that it seeks to address, our definition of retrofit transcends that of deep energy and includes any upgrade to a building that increases its resilience, or the resilience of the community or location. This is across eight categories.
Melvin Lau outlines how deep energy plays a key role in holistic retrofit and provides direction to make buildings reach beyond net zero by 2050.
A renovation and extension to the central worldwide hub for Reckitt Benckiser’s healthcare research and development.
The transformation of a grade II* listed library as part of the wider refurbishment of Manchester’s town hall complex, widely regarded as one of the finest groups of civic buildings in the country.
The classrooms had not been renovated in over 30 years, and were identified for renovation in alignment with an international best practice approach to teaching spaces.
A seismic upgrade and heritage renewal of a historic landmark church in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The base level refurbishment involved a basic upgrade to the MEP systems that had reached their end of life but included no alteration to the building fabric.
The brief was to declutter and revitalise the beautiful grade I listed structure and provide new and improved passenger facilities.
The restoration and enhancement of an iconic grade II* listed ‘merchants’ palace’ built in the 1930s, for use as a high performing, modern workplace for HMRC.
The deep energy retrofit of two semi detached houses located in Washington, Tyne and Wear.