Don't demolish... rebfurbish!
The climate emergency has certainly been pushing up column inches recently. Last year, the Government set out a ten-point plan to create a green industrial revolution and many organisations have already made commitments to address their own actions to cut their carbon footprint and reduce emissions.
One serious action that companies could take is to not demolish properties to build new buildings but to refurbish.
Architects have been calling for this for some time. While there was debate about whether it was better for the climate to demolish an old energy-hungry building and build a well-insulated replacement in the past, it is now widely considered a mistake due to the amount of carbon emitted during the construction of a new building.
If the exterior of a building is in disrepair, for instance, letting in water or cold air, it is less likely to be energy efficient and have increased heating requirements and therefore a larger carbon footprint. Good maintenance and updating the fabric of the building is vital to ensure it is energy efficient and carbon-saving.
There is so much which can be done to breathe new life into an old building, and we have plenty of experience within this area. From the refurbishment of The Cherry Tree, a 14th Century building acquired by Oakman Inns, which included the preservation of original aspects of the property while integrating more contemporary styles to The Punch Hotel, in Hull, where we brought the botanical history of the Grade II listed pub to life. CIC – doing what we do best!
