28 Safety & Security; Interiors
Safety & Security Feature
Germany pioneered the Passivhaus standard, a model for ultra-low-energy buildings that rely heavily on high- performance facades to achieve their effi ciency
PUTTING RESIDENTS AT THE CENTRE With the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 also emphasising resident engagement, transparent communication is critical in any recladding project. Residents need to understand not just what is changing but why and how it
Photo by Ana Quintans on Unsplash
will benefi t them in the long term. A well-considered facade upgrade can reduce energy bills, improve thermal comfort, and signifi cantly reduce a building’s environmental impact. T ose outcomes need to be part of the conversation from the outset. T ermal modelling tools can also help bring those benefi ts to life, off ering tangible evidence of improvements and making technical design decisions more relatable.
Today’s modelling tools can forecast how various facade upgrades will aff ect seasonal energy use, highlight opportunities to reduce embodied carbon, and even assess circularity through end-of-life planning. T ese capabilities should be seen not as extras, but as essential tools for designing buildings that are truly future-ready. A new generation of facade systems also supports this ambition. Materials
with improved fi re resistance and lower embodied carbon, prefabricated panels that minimise on-site disruption, and smart detailing that optimises performance are all making sustainable upgrades more accessible. By embracing such systems, and going beyond minimum standards, housing providers can deliver facades that are not only compliant but also maintainable, futureproof and aligned to broader climate goals.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD Facade retrofi t should not be viewed solely as a safety obligation. It’s an opportunity to set new standards for building performance, sustainability and resident engagement. T e most successful projects will come from integrated, multidisciplinary thinking, where fi re safety, energy effi ciency, architectural expression and long-term resilience are considered together, not in isolation. With the right tools and expertise already in place, the opportunity is clear: to
retrofi t not just for compliance, but for climate, comfort, and community. If we draw together international best practices and align them with the UK’s unique housing challenges, we can redefi ne what facade retrofi t looks like: not just making buildings safer but making them better in every sense.
Sandra Rubiano is associate director of facades at AESG
Housing Management & Maintenance June/July 2025
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