Refurbishment
Refurbishment is a term used to describe a 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 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.
Architects 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] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building an extension.
- CIBSE Case Study Angel Building Refurbishment.
- CIBSE Case Study Thamesmead Estate Refurbishment.
- Conservation of the historic environment.
- Decoration.
- Façade retention.
- Licence to alter.
- Loft conversion.
- Making good.
- 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.
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC FREE CPD Boost - Easy Access Webinar from Historic England and the IHBC
'Enhancing conservation areas & townscapes with S.215s', 13 December - numbers limited so book now!
IHBC Out of Context - CPD check-up and prize
‘Who said that and what would you say back? FREE BS7913 for the best responses…
IHBC CPD boost: bite-sized briefings
‘Periodically’, Bob Kindred’s bite-sized briefings from the best of current heritage handbooks.
IHBC CPD Green Issue QuickQuiz
Do you know the ABCs of EPCs?
IHBC CPD Green Issue QuickQuiz Part 2
Do you know the ABCs of EPCs? - The answers! You tested your knowledge on energy performance certificates (EPC’s) in the last Newsblog so now see how well you did!
IHBC at Listed Property Show London 2019 – FREE CPD
4 hours free CPD via IHBC and partners + lots more at the show in association with Historic England, on 9-10 February 2019 at London’s Olympia.
IHBC launches new Toolbox Guidance Note for small traders
IHBC’s latest Guidance Note in our Toolbox aims to provide sole practitioners and small traders with advice on taking on new work, offering ‘Ten Red Flags’ to watch out for.
Scotland - Historic Environment Audit (SHEA) 2018 is now out
HES lead officer, Karen Robertson, has offered her personal blog looking at the trends and findings.
Slate Landscape of North-West Wales - preferred UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Slate Landscape of North-West Wales will be the UK’s next preferred nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Heritage Minister Michael Ellis announced recently.
Draft Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill for Palace of Westminster
The draft Bill has been presented to allow ‘interested parties the opportunity to consider the approach taken to the governance of the Restoration and Renewal Programme’.
APPG for Healthy Homes & Buildings White Paper published
The White Paper highlights ‘the need for a holistic approach to building design and renovation’.
Register English Community Assets on CAsE and you could win £100 gift voucher
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) asks if you own or manage a community asset that you register it on the new Community Assets Exchange - you could win £100 gift voucher.
North of Tyne gets £600m devolution deal
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry has confirmed a £600 million devolution deal for the North of Tyne. It is expected to generate £1.1 billion for the local economy.
Fifteen projects reach final of Heritage Angel Awards Wales
Fifteen outstanding examples of heritage achievement have been selected for a Heritage Angel Award by a panel of judges headed by Baroness Kay Andrews.
Entries open for 2019 John Betjeman award: Closing 26 Feb 2019
SPAB invites nominations for the award celebrating excellence in the repair to specific elements of places of worship of all denominations and faiths in England and Wales.
Civic Voice: Guidance tool for communities to identify local heritage assets
A resource developed as part of Civic Voice’s Big Conservation Conversation and their ‘Local Heritage List’ campaign.
The economic value of culture - a benefit transfer study on museums in England
New research has been published to help understand the visitor and non-visitor value of cultural engagement at 4 cultural institutions in England – is this transferrable?
Former housing minister Nick Raynsford issues warning on planning
He writes that it has been reduced to a ‘chaotic patchwork’ of responsibilities which is not compatible with promoting the health, wellbeing and civil rights of communities.
DCMS revises - Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has issued its revised ‘Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings’ with new dates, definitions and more.
Specialist contractors call for government regulation of the construction industry
The chairman of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group wants to government to set up a statutory authority to regulate construction industry practice.
Brexit skills shortages - survey
Add your company’s take to the largest-ever poll on Brexit skills shortages.
Slow progress on encouraging female apprentices to construction industry
With 88% male in 2016/17 industry initiatives to encourage young women to join the construction industry do not appear to be making much headway.
Water-jet cutting of stone changes the industry, but only so far!
Nuclear archive wins Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award for 2018
A national archive for the civil nuclear industry by Reiach & Hall Architects has won a top Scottish architecture prize: the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award for 2018.