Refurbishment
Refurbishment is the process of improvement by cleaning, decorating and re-equipping. It may also include elements of retrofitting with the aim of making a building more energy efficient and sustainable.
As a broad term, refurbishment is often used interchangeably with renovation or restoration (which is to do with restoring a building to its former condition). In general, refurbishment can encompass such works as ‘cosmetic’ renovations (such as painting and decorating), upgrading, major repair work, alterations, conversions, extensions and modernisations.
The lifecycle of a building can be significantly extended by effective refurbishment, as such it is a key component in achieving a circular economy. As every building is unique, not only structurally, technically and typologically, but also in local context, the correct approach to refurbishment should be assessed according to the particular conditions. Designers should seek to understand the actual uses of existing buildings and communicate with diverse stakeholders from the initial project phase to the end of the refurbishment.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Alteration work.
- Ashby company breathes new life into 19th century hospital site.
- Building an extension.
- CIBSE Case Study Angel Building Refurbishment.
- CIBSE Case Study Thamesmead Estate Refurbishment.
- Circular Construction in Regenerative Cities (CIRCuIT).
- Conservation of the historic environment.
- Decoration.
- Energy efficiency retrofit training videos.
- Five tips for planning a home renovation.
- Flexbury Church.
- Licence to alter.
- Loft conversion.
- Making good.
- Master bedroom renovations.
- National Refurbishment Centre.
- Permitted development.
- Point Cloud modeling considerations for M&E in refurbishment projects.
- Pre-demolition and pre-refurbishment audits.
- Remedial works.
- Renovation.
- Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
- Restoration.
- Retrofit.
- Sustainability in design: a corporate buzzword or the future of commercial property.
[edit] Other useful links
- An introduction to refurbishment for structural engineers. Part 1: Identifying opportunities at the feasibility stage
- An introduction to refurbishment for structural engineers. Part 2: Maximising the opportunities at the design stage
- Understanding existing buildings – five studies to complete before design work starts
- Vertical extensions: technical challenges and carbon impact
- The principles of reusing existing buildings
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