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Improving The Sustainability Of
Existing Buildings
Presented by:
Dr Keith Jones
Reader in Sustainable Buildings
The University of Greenwich
Introduction
 Achieving
the goal of sustainable development
continues to be one of the global challenges of
our era.
 In 1987 Brundtland defined sustainability as
“…meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs…’
The Brundtland Report (1987) Our Common Future. Oxford University Press, ISBN 019282080.
 The
debate was broadened in 1992 at the
United Nations Rio Earth Summit where
Agenda 21 (UN Department of Economic &
Social Affairs 1992) was formulated as
guidance for those working towards a more
sustainable future
UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs (1992) Agenda 21, http://www.un.org/
Introduction
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and again at Kyoto (UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change 1997) where the impact of
climate change was considered.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1997) The Kyoto Protocol,
http://www.unfccc.int/

In Johannesburg (UN World Summit on
Sustainable Development, 2002) the obstacles
to the implementation of Agenda 21were
examined and a new way forward proposed.
UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) What was achieved and the way
forward, http://www.un.org/.
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I am not going to look at these documents in
details although I do recommend you study
them in your own time.
What I am going to focus on is what are the
challenges now for the UK’s built environment.
UK’s Position

The UK Government identified 4 aims in its
strategy for sustainable development
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Social progress that recognises the needs of
everyone
Effective protection of the environment
Prudent use of natural resources
Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic
growth
DETR, (1999) “A better quality of life – a strategy for sustainable development in the UK”,
DETR, London, ISBN 0-10-143452-9.

It then went on to challenge the construction
industry to develop more sustainable practices
in pursuit of its goal to raise the collective
quality of life of UK citizens
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Reuse of existing buildings
Design for minimum waste
UK’s Position
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Aim for lean construction
Minimise energy in construction
Minimise energy in use
Do not pollute
Preserve and enhance bio-diversity
Conserve water
Have respect for people and their environment
Set targets to monitor performance.
DETR, (2000) “Building a better quality of life – a strategy for sustainable construction”, DETR,
London.
UK’ Position
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Finally, in 2001 the UK Built Environment and
Transportation Foresight Panel looked at what
was needed for UK buildings over the next 20
years.
The report drew attention to the fact that as
only a small percentage of it is replaced each
year, over the next 20 years, much of the built
environment will comprise that which already
exists or is in the planning stage.
Thus, if the UK’s built environment is to
address the changing needs of society in a
more sustainable manner, the construction
industry will have to work largely with
buildings that already exist.
UK’s Position

In addition to other issues the report outlined
the changing demands that would be placed
on the built environment (population
demographics, knowledge based working
practices, climate change etc) and suggested
specific actions around whole life thinking and
the use of advanced technology, materials and
processes which would be needed to address
them.
UK’s Position

In its summary the report:
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Recommended improving existing buildings through
developing innovative processes, technologies and
components for the maintenance, repair and
refurbishment of existing built assets.
Identified the potential for new technologies and
‘intelligent products’ to improve living and working
environments and provide feedback to improve
construction quality.
Identified the culture change required from ‘up-front’
considerations to whole life principles that would be
required amongst built environment stakeholders if a
truly sustainable built environment is to be achieved.
DTI, (2001) “Constructing the future”, The Built Environment and Transportation
Foresight Panel, www.foresight.gov.uk, London.
UK’s Position
 The
majority of work to date has focussed on
the design and construction phase of the
building life cycle (see other speakers).
 Whilst the outputs from this work are beginning
to have an affect, because of the legacy of
existing building stock, it is unlikely to produce
a sustainable urban environment in the short to
medium term.
 This fact was highlighted at the Sustainable
Buildings 2002 conference as an area requiring
significant attention.

Existing buildings is a theme at the SB2005 in
Tokyo. (www.sb05.com/conceptE.html)
The Challenges

Existing buildings are complex entities which
are interwoven into the fabric and culture of
society.
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Function
Emotion
Historic significance etc
Their management and use involves a
multitude of stakeholders.
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Owner
Built environment professionals
Users
Financiers etc
The Challenges
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Over their life cycle they consume resources
that far exceed those associated with their
original construction.
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People are at the core of sustainability.
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Operation
Maintenance
How people use buildings makes them either
sustainable or un-sustainable
Thus, the challenge facing built environment
professionals working at the post construction
phase of the building life cycle is to address
directly the spaces which most people occupy
during their typical day.
Addressing The Challenges
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In essence, the challenge is to study people
focused systems, derive models and theories
that explain and describe these systems, and
identify solutions which would reduce any
adverse affects of buildings on the
environment.
These solutions will most like involve the use
of innovative technology for new/improved
products and processes
Research Challenge
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Developing these solutions requires a greater
understanding of the:
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Impact that the use of existing buildings have on the
environment and quality of life of occupants/users;
Changing demands being made of existing
buildings;
Potential for technical/operational developments to
improve the performance of existing building;
Barriers to implementation (i.e. stakeholder
reticence, the role of whole life thinking etc).
I will outline some of the work that is underway
in the UK to address these issues.
Impact of buildings on the
environment and quality of life
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In order to improve the sustainable
performance of existing buildings you first
have to know the impacts that the buildings
have on the environment.
There are lots of toolkits currently available for
measuring sustainability (over 100 were
identified in a recent UK study)
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Specific aspects of sustainability (e.g. Environmental
impact assessments)
Specific sectors of the built environment (e.g.
Ecohomes)
Specific aspects of the building life-cycle (e.g.
Design for the Environment)
Impact of buildings on the
environment and quality of life
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Very few toolkits take a holistic approach to the
problem and even fewer are applicable to
existing buildings.
One which can be applied to existing buildings
is SPeAR.
SPeAR was developed by Ove Arup as a
positioning toolkit to allow owners of buildings
to explore the sustainability of their existing
buildings.
Changing demands on buildings
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There are many factors that will put new
demands on existing buildings.
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Changing demographics, Life-styles etc
The following are extracts from a presentation
given by Dr Richenda Connell.
Managing climate risks
‘Understanding and adapting buildings
for climate change’
6 July 2004, The Café Royal, London
Dr Richenda Connell
UK Climate Impacts Programme
Rising carbon dioxide (900 - 2002) [Source: IPCC]
Global mean surface temperatures have increased…
% change from 1961-90 average
Change in England and Wales precipitation, 18732003
Global temperature changes for 21st century
Global temperature changes for 21st century in the
context of the last 1000 years
Changes in average temperature
Low
emissions
High
emissions
Daily maximum temperature: probability of
exceedance
Central England
summer temperature
Baseline (1961-90)
31oC has 1% chance [I
day per summer]
2080s, medium-high
emissions
31oC has 11% chance
[11 days per summer]
39oC has 1% chance
Changes in average precipitation
Winter
Summer
Summary of expected changes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Long-term / seasonal averages
Warmer, drier summers (spring, autumn too)
Milder, wetter winters
Rising sea levels
Extremes
More very hot days
More intense downpours of rain
Shorter return periods for high water levels at
coast
• Uncertain changes in storms – possible
increase in winter
www.ukcip.org.uk
Potential developments to improve
the performance of existing building;
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The technical and process developments that
are needed to improve the performance of the
UK existing building stock are the focus of a
major research project, IDCOP (Innovation in
the Design, Construction and Operation of
Buildings for People) that is underway at the
University of Greenwich.
SUE IDCOP
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Innovation in Design, Construction
and Operation of buildings for
People is a consortium comprising
4 principal universities and over 40
industrial partners.
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Dr Keith Jones
Prof Derek Clement-Croome
Dr Bakr Bahaj
Prof David Gann
IDCOP is part of the EPSRC
Sustainable Urban Environment
Initiative
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/WebSite/default.aspx?ZoneID=3&MenuID=1616
What is SUE IDCOP?
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Purpose:
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Focus:
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On the building façade as a climate moderator.
Objectives:
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To find new ways to improve the performance of
buildings over the whole life cycle.
To support a reduction in the consumption of
non-renewable resources in a way that is
economically viable and socially acceptable.
To explore technical, economic, social and
environmental implications for existing facades
Outcomes:
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New rules, standards and procedures for design,
production and maintenance of existing
buildings.
Theoretical Framework
Research
Themes
A More Sustainable Urban
Environment
Existing Urban Environment
(Drivers for Change)
Theoretical Framework
Research
Themes
A More Sustainable Urban
Environment
T3 Implementation
Strategies
T2 Innovative Solutions to
Meet Opportunities for
Improvement
T1 Baseline Knowledge and
Opportunities for
Improvement
Existing Urban Environment
(Drivers for Change)
Theoretical Framework
A More Sustainable Urban Environment
T3 Implementation
Strategies
T2 Innovative Solutions to
Meet Opportunities for
Improvement
T1 Baseline Knowledge and
Opportunities for
Improvement
Product
People
Process
Existing Urban Environment
(Drivers for Change)
Theoretical Framework
A More Sustainable Urban Environment
T3 Implementation
Strategies
Product
T2 Innovative Solutions to
Meet Opportunities for
Improvement
Product /
People
Product
T1 Baseline Knowledge and
Opportunities for
Improvement
People /
Product /
Process
Product /
People
Product
Process /
People
Process /
People
People
Process
Process
Existing Urban Environment
(Drivers for Change)
Process
IDCOP – Work Programme
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
Improving the performance
of existing facades as
climate moderators to
reduce the consumption of
non-renewable resources
over the building life cycle
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Climate Change
Whole Life
Stakeholders
Economics
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Climate Change
Stakeholders
Technical
modifications
to the existing
façade
(WP1)
Whole Life
Economics
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Climate Change
Stakeholders
Review of
sustainable
technologies
Technical
modifications
to the existing
façade
Prioritise
opportunities
(WP1)
Develop
prototypes
Whole Life
Economics
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Climate Change
Stakeholders
New building
management
processes
(WP2)
Whole Life
Economics
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Climate Change
Stakeholders
Waste in current
practices
Technology and
human behaviour
New building
management
processes
(WP2)
Whole Life
Economics
Intelligent agents
for building
personalisation
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Stakeholders
Climate Change
Integrating Vision: achieve
change in sustainable
performance of existing
buildings
Crosscutting
issues
(WP3)
Technical
modifications
to the existing
façade
(WP1)
Users
perceptions
New building
management
processes
(WP2)
Whole Life
Dissemination
Economics
The role of
maintenance
IDCOP – Work Programme
PROJECT FOCUS
(Drivers for Change)
Existing Urban Environment
Whole Life
Resource Use
Society
Economy
Improving the performance of existing
facades as climate moderators to reduce
the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
INPUTS
(EPSRC CALL)
PROJECT WORK PROGRAMME
Stakeholders
Climate Change
Integrating Vision: achieve
change in sustainable
performance of existing
buildings
(WP1)
New knowledge : role of building façade as
mediator between internal and external
environments, attitudes of people towards this
and consequences for environmental, social and
economic sustainability
Specific technical knowledge to assist new
product development : materials components,
sub-systems, sensors & monitoring technologies
(WP3)
Technical
modifications
to the existing
façade
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
Specific performance knowledge assists the
production of models. Enables self assessment
of performance of existing envelopes, future
designs & maintenance & refurbishment options.
Users
perceptions
New building
management
processes
CPD & training materials for technical and
professional staff engaged in refurbishment of
existing buildings
(WP2)
Improvements in the performance of existing
facades
A research agenda for further change
PROJECT OUTPUTS
Whole Life
Economics
Uptake of outputs by industry & building
stakeholders
Reduction in the consumption of non-renewable
resources over the building life cycle
OVERARCHING SUCCESS
FACTORS
A copy of this presentation can be
found at:
http://intranet.gre.ac.uk/archcon/keith-jones