Refurb and Renovate
In these times of austerity the importance of the nation’s existing building stock has become even more apparent. Its enhancement not only makes economic sense but also can impact positively on our overall carbon footprint.
BBLB’s approach to the successful renovation of existing buildings is to understand the ethos of the original idea and design, and then through the introduction of appropriate materials and technologies, generate a solution that environmentally improves the performance of the building, and also importantly delivers a financially viable option. The ‘recycling’ of buildings is hardly a new concept but as we strive to reduce energy and life cycle costs in the future it is becoming a bigger challenge to undertake successfully.
The renovation of existing buildings can be broken down in to several components incorporating both refurbishment and remodelling. Refurbishment involves the maintenance, repair and improvement of the building fabric and can range from a ‘light touch’ redecoration to a more substantial upgrade of facilities and services including ICT. This can be a relatively quick and economic solution, and the valuable contribution of even a simple change of colour scheme should not be underestimated.
Remodeling comprises the appraisal, analysis and adaptation of internal spatial arrangements to address changing needs and regulations, different uses and modern requirements. It can require a more extensive overhaul, involving upgrading insulation standards and M&E to meet current and future predicted requirements – if done effectively remodeling can add significant value to a building.
