An artefact for improving the delivery of building energy retrofit project in South Africa
Built Environment Project and Asset Management
ISSN: 2044-124X
Article publication date: 19 June 2020
Issue publication date: 4 September 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The built environment is well known for carbon emission and its impact especially as it pertains to existing buildings. This has culminated in an increasing need for a retrofit of such buildings. This study details the development of an artefact for improving the delivery of energy retrofit projects therein to curb these impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilized a mixed method research design for data collection. In achieving this, data was collected in three different phases; (1) a pilot study; (2) a juxtaposition of desktop case studies, live case studies, focus group discussion forum and an expert survey; and (3) a questionnaire survey for the validation of the emergent artefact. Accordingly, the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative content analysis was deployed for qualitative data.
Findings
The findings enabled an identification of the elements of a building energy retrofit project (BERP) such as project initiation, building assessment, detailed energy survey, technical analysis and implementation plans of energy measures, monitoring and verification. Also, it provided the challenges and enablers associated with successful BERP. This information was subsequently utilized in the development and validation of an artefact for delivering successful BERP. Summarily, a set of guidelines comprising of seven stages for managing successful BERPs were elucidated.
Practical implications
The validated artefact provides an adaptive and innovative route for achieving sustainability in retrofit trade.
Originality/value
The study conceptualizes an artefact for improving the delivery of BERPs.
Keywords
Citation
Okorafor, C., Emuze, F., Das, D., Awuzie, B.O. and Haupt, T. (2020), "An artefact for improving the delivery of building energy retrofit project in South Africa", Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 619-635. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-04-2019-0033
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited