Adapting from glorious past to uncertain future
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to valuate existing building stock with respect to its contribution to a changing and uncertain future, especially in relation to energy performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review literature related to existing buildings, climate change and future environmental needs; present energy performance data from ten case studies; and identify inadequacies and scope for improvements with reference to typical housing stock.
Findings
Current policies and programmes are inadequate to the scope and scale of the task; a step‐change in thought and practice is needed.
Practical implications
A massive programme is warranted if the substantial stock of existing buildings is to be adapted to meet identified environmental standards to “save the planet”; a radical re‐conceptualisation of building adaptation is required.
Originality/value
The paper prompts a review of the role of the surveyor in achieving sustainability through adaptation of existing buildings.
Keywords
Citation
Wood, B. and Muncaster, M. (2012), "Adapting from glorious past to uncertain future", Structural Survey, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 219-231. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630801211241793
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited