Who Should be Involved?
Given the scope and importance of the task of incorporating sustainability considerations into the retrofit, conservation and rehabilitation of buildings, and the broad range of stakeholders affected by these efforts, it is appropriate for governments to define strategies and areas of focus for sustainable conservation considerations. ,
Industry
However, these efforts are not the sole responsibility of government decision-makers. Building officials, architects, engineers, owners, developers, and others in the real estate and construction industry are stakeholders and have a responsibility in this opportunity. It is equally important for all stakeholders to do their part capitalizing on building retrofit and rehabilitation as sound environmental actions and in applying best practices to that work. In return, these practices will improve cost-benefit through reduced operating costs (and potentially higher rents).
GOVERNMENTS CAN PROVIDE POLICY, GUIDANCE AND BEST PRACTICES TO ENCOURAGE GOOD CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY FOCUSED UPGRADES TO EXISTING AND HERITAGE BUILDINGS, AS LONG AS THESE DIRECTIVES WORK WITH MARKET IMPERATIVES, BUILDING CODES AND OTHER REGIMES IN PLACE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT GOVERNMENT INPUTS HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO APPLY WIDELY THROUGH DIFFERING UNIQUE SITUATIONS, AND THAT THEY PROMOTE BEST PRACTICES FROM ALL PERSPECTIVES.
-Cascadia Chapter, US/CaGBC, 2013
All Existing Buildings
Furthermore, it is important to understand that the best practices associated with the rehabilitation of buildings with heritage value are directly transferrable as best practices for the retrofit of all existing buildings and for the design of new buildings. In fact, the green building community in North America believes the movement will have been a success when “green” building is simply considered “good” building.
Simplifying the Process
Although the task of moving the building and design communities towards sustainable development practices may appear to be complex and with many apparently competing considerations, there are strategies available to help all stakeholders achieve their objectives. Energy modelling and lifecycle costing, for example, can help guide decisions regarding appropriate, cost-effective, and energy efficient measures that are also sensitive to heritage value. Web-based and other digital design tools can also help designers make decisions around complex issues. These tools include the Athena Institute’s LCA Tool and the forthcoming APT Tool OSCAR (Online Sustainable Conservation Assistance Resource).
Integrated Design Process for Integrated Solutions
Heritage conservation architects and engineers have of necessity used integrated design processes (IDP) for many years in order to achieve optimum solutions for integrating needed contemporary interventions into buildings of heritage value. Sustainability consultants also understand the value and effectiveness of integrated design solutions.
Improving communications and avoiding “the silo effect” between the various design disciplines required for success in both heritage conservation work and sustainable design work have become necessary for best practice and long-term effectiveness in the building design process in general.
In fact, sustainable rehabilitation of any existing buildings requires IDP for success.
RECOGNITION OF THE INTERCONNECTION AND COMPLEXITY OF…NATURAL SYSTEMS AND THE NEED FOR CORRESPONDING HOLISTIC DESIGN HAS LED TO…INTEGRATED DESIGN, A PROCESS GATHERS THE ENTIRE (OR MOST OF) PROJECT TEAM TOGETHER TO CREATE DESIGNS THAT BENEFIT FROM THE SYNERGIES OF DIFFERENT AREAS OF EXPERTISE
-Jean Carroon, “Greening Existing Buildings”, 2010
REALIZING THESE SAVINGS REQUIRES AN INTEGRATED DESIGN PROCESS INVOLVING ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS AND CLIENTS, WITH FULL CONSIDERATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PASSIVELY REDUCING BUILDING ENERGY DEMANDS
– William Goodger, “Prophecies and Global Warming: How everything leads to the arrival of the Messiah”, 2012