104 NET ZERO
desperate to preserve local heritage. Cordula Zeidler, practice director leading the Historic Building Consultancy team at Donald Insall Associates, explains: ‘One key barrier is the lack of clarity and consistency we see in planning decisions, which results in a frustrating, costly and lengthy process. What is granted consent, such as double-glazing or internal insulation, can vary significantly between boroughs or even different decision- makers. Policy needs to be more encouraging and more consistent. We must not fall into the trap of preserving our heritage buildings as museum pieces; we should allow them to evolve, as they have done for centuries. Te idea of conservation as allowing change,
Right and left Two net zero churches
The Church of England has committed to achieving net zero by 2030, but the way this is achieved varies immensely. At one end of the scale, St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe in the City of London – a Grade I listed church designed by Sir Christopher Wren (pictured right and left) reached net zero after an 18-month closure to implement a £1.1m retrofit that included six air-source heat pumps in the roof and insulation. A more low-key solution was implemented at St Michael’s Baddesley Clinton, a medieval Grade II listed church near Birmingham. As it was only used for a weekly service, expensive interventions were rejected in favour of fitting low-energy electric heating directly into the pews, run from a green tariff, costing just £3,880.
Far right
98–100 De Beauvoir Road, Hackney
Henley Halebrown’s
informed by a deep understanding about what is special about a building, rather than fear of change, is the right approach in supporting the retrofit and carbon challenge.’ Clients, too, can be resistant, especially when they realise that ‘make do and mend’ seldom saves money. ‘When you keep part of a building it’s never going to give a saving, as the process is trickier,’ says Weatherhead. ‘The risk goes up and you need more surveys and investigations. Te reward is that it’s the right thing to do – but last time I looked that doesn’t help decide the viability of a scheme!’ Eric Pelletier, senior partner and design principal at Canadian practice Lemay, adds: ‘Unfortunately, it’s often a matter of money. We need to show our clients that this can add real value to the building for the future. Tey know that there’s a climate emergency but are they ready to pay for it? It’s part of our job to push them to achieve more.’ Phillip White agrees: ‘Architects have the responsibility to bring sustainable goals to the clients, helping them understand the benefits and ideally getting their support for net-zero designs.’
‘Te cost of retrofitting for net-zero energy may not be justifiable solely based on energy savings in the short term,’ says
low-carbon retrofit scheme of an unlisted 20th-century factory retained much of the fabric and embodied energy in the brickwork, timber floors, cast iron and concrete structures, while adding thermal upgrades, rooftop studio additions with high levels of insulation and air tightness, air-source heat pumps and LED lighting. Localised areas of demolition and reconstruction unlocked the use of the remaining 70-80% and created flexible space for small businesses. It won an AJ Retrofit Awards in 2023.
Architect Henley Halebrown Client The Benyon Estate
Civil engineer Parmarbrook Limited
Main contractor Sullivan Brothers Construction
Dragos Epure, founder of Metropolis Architecture in Bucharest. ‘However, it’s essential to look at it as a long-term investment. Over time, the energy savings can offset the initial expenses, and in the future, the investment may become more economically advantageous.’ Te need to give clients the information to take an informed decision at an early stage is becoming a problem in itself, notes Weatherhead: ‘Stage one is getting longer and more important, and
giving the right advice to the client needs more information than ever. RIBA needs to rethink stage one.’
With environmental issues, from carrier bags to cars, it is legislation that has created change. And when it comes to retrofitting to net zero the rules are a mess. ‘Te government needs to equalise VAT between refurbishments and new construction,’ says Rory Bergin, partner, sustainable futures, at HTA Design. ‘It presents itself as a barrier and makes the case
IT’S NO GAME/MIKE PEEL
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