SUSTAINABILITY PAST PERFECT
Junckers explores the environmental sustainability benefits of refurbishing and reusing heritage buildings.
No one can escape the signs that our environment is changing at an alarming rate, brought on by the effects of climate change – there is an urgent need to act. The reuse, refurbishment and retrofit of existing buildings is a crucial step in reducing the impact of the built environment which is the second largest source of emissions in the UK. Leading experts, industry bodies, national and local government are strongly advocating the need to adapt the country’s existing building stock to reduce carbon emissions.
A quarter of the UK building stock is more than 100 years old. Improving the energy efficiency of historical properties will reduce carbon and retrofitting these buildings could create jobs as well as playing a crucial role in achieving climate targets. We need to extend the life of our existing buildings and make sure they are equipped for future use – a much more sustainable approach.
Refurbishment and adaptation of historic buildings provides significant environmental opportunities compared with new build because there will usually be less waste from demolition, and therefore a lower burden upon landfill, reprocessing, transport, and reduced use of raw materials, especially in relation to materials with high embodied carbon such as concrete, plastics, ceramics/ clay products and steel.
There is usually a strong desire to retain our architectural heritage, and often the most attractive and valued streetscapes are those that have a blend of building styles and ages. Many older buildings will have a connection with local history and losing the building altogether can weaken people’s unique sense of community, identity and belonging. The people living and working in the building will often value the fact that their workplace or home has a connection with the town or nation’s past. The fact that it may have an unusual layout can be seen as ‘character’ and can provide as sense of uniqueness that may be missing from a brand-new building.
An excellent example of an historic building that has been restored and adapted for modern use is the recently reopened Perth Museum. Formerly serving as the City Hall, the landmark building has been completely transformed with careful special reworking to create an inviting and accessible cultural hub.
The interior features large expanses of Junckers solid wood flooring. A common flooring choice for heritage buildings, solid hardwood offers both an authentic, natural material traditionally specified for a building of this calibre, and a hard-wearing surface with a lifespan that can match that of the building. One of nature’s hardest timber species, oak has been used as flooring for several hundred years. Junckers’ floors are pre-finished with a factory- applied seal of ultra matt lacquer which gives them a durable surface that will withstand the high levels of foot traffic expected at the museum.
Architects Mecanoo has transformed the former auditorium into the main exhibition space. It houses The Stone of Destiny which takes centre stage on the ground floor ensconced in a timber box. The raised gallery which runs all around the room on the
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level where there were previously balconies of seating houses artefacts and curiosities that are part of Scotland’s national history. Here, Junckers Oak Natural Pearl flooring forms a natural backdrop. With a subtle light-grey tone, Oak Natural Pearl has an understated luminescent quality which reflects natural light. The transparent finish complements the warm, honey-hued colouring of the oak and enhances the structural grain pattern.
In a smaller former auditorium, the architects extended a row of tall windows to the ground to significantly increase light levels and improve usage. With high ceilings and restored ornamental plasterwork, the space now houses a café which can easily
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk
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