Development of the existing building stock
Andersen, Peter John - Author 1 (1) Søren Schaldemann - Affiliation Author 1 (1)
ABSTRACT
This paper questions and challenges the state of the ongoing development of the existing building stock.
This paper attempts to approach the many and often mixed handling of the existing (older) building stock as an alternative to demolition to clear sites for new build.
At present the recycling of materials is seen as a major contributor towards a sustainable building industry, but one might expect that a continued use of the existing buildings would be a much more sustainable approach.
The focus of the paper is limited to buildings erected before modernism, as most of the projects for revitalization of buildings concentrate on the newer and often much larger building stock, to which technical solutions are less complex and the economic results more obvious.
Revitalization of the older buildings should be a key factor, not only from the sustainably point but also for solving a number of other environmental issues & values. These buildings include history and tradition, and often they represent state of the art of their time.
Through a thorough review of the major ways of re-using these buildings – refurbishment, infill, transformation, extension, renovation, restoration, etc. – as well as the different issues each of these include, the overall conclusion pin points areas of certain concern as well as indicating an approach for further development without wrecking the environment, street views, aesthetics etc.
Whilst the external qualities, in contrast to much of the new build, may be obvious, the interior of the old building stock often includes serious issues to be countered. Indoor climate, heating, daylight, access and fire issues will always need great attention and should match contemporary demands.
Also, the many inter-linked issues such as maintenance, facilitation, preservation of local environments, tourism, architectural, and historical gems etc., are taken into consideration, including the economic and individual gains.
Through a variety of examples from own and others work some specific solutions of better or worse conduct are presented and explained to back part conclusions on the various issues.
Obviously, the paper cannot present one final conclusion for such wide span of issues but should be seen as an attempt to join the variety of alternatives to the on-going grand scale demolition, that if not countered continues in order to make space for the erection of architectural anonymous buildings going up with no interaction with the surroundings.
As such the paper could set the grounds for qualified discussions.
Keywords: sustainable renovation, infill, transformation, refurbishment, preservation, town environment
