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.
- Façade retention.
- Licence to alter.
- Loft conversion.
- 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
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Historic England National Capacity Building Programme 2018-2020 - call for applications
On 25 September applications open for the programme, supporting projects that run for a maximum of 2 years, with funding starting from 1 April 2018.
Owner of Kensington Square stripey house gets green light to demolish
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Funding call for projects related to the European Year for Cultural Heritage 2018
Creative Europe Call - offering support for cooperation projects related to EYCH 2018 and targeting projects with a start date between January and September 2018 closes 22 Nov.
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Entries to EAA awards open until 5pm Friday 27th October 2017
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DCLG package of £22.8M – a boost for communities until 2022
Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament
England’s DCLG the package of support worth £22.8 million to help communities develop plans to give them a real say in the development of their area.
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