Natural Materials - Retrofit Introduction | ACAN

AN INTRODUCTION TO RETROFIT WITH NATURAL MATERIALS
Date recorded: 5th May 2022

Watch to learn from experts about the importance of retrofit and the benefits of doing so with natural materials. In this event we looked at the importance of retrofit, how deeply we should be retrofitting our building stock, and which Natural Material products can be used and where.

80% of today's buildings will still exist in 2050. Successfully retrofitting these buildings will play a critical role in collectively taking action to address the twin crises of climate and ecological breakdown.

Retrofitting with Natural Materials can deliver energy saving measures that provide healthy, comfortable buildings for the occupants without causing damage to the building fabric. Simultaneously reducing energy demand (and therefore energy bills) whilst using materials that cause can be ecologically regenerative.

Our expert speakers include:

🌿 Chris Brookman of Back to Earth and ASBP Natural Fibre Insulation Group 🌿

Back to Earth was started in 1995 (and is still run) by Chris Brookman, a Chemistry graduate, and was originally a building company specialising construction with sustainable materials such as cob and lime. By 2007 the business had morphed into a materials supplier at which point Back to Earth’s sole business was supplying sustainable building materials.

Chris explains the importance of natural materials in retrofit and their compatibility with existing building fabrics, especially in relation to moisture and breathability.

🌿 Chris Morgan of John Gilbert Architects 🌿

John Gilbert Architects is a Scottish design studio, passionate about designing places for people and the planet. They deliver beautiful, efficient, affordable projects designed in collaboration with users, residents and the community, undertaking design work from a strategic level to detailed architecture with creativity, enthusiasm and knowledge.

Chris is the director responsible for Hab-Lab, a service specialising in building performance evaluation and runs a number of new-build and retrofit projects. He recently completed Scotland’s current largest new-build Passivhaus housing project (10 homes in Garelochead) and Scotland’s first stone tenement EnerPhit project which incorporated natural materials into a highly energy efficient retrofit project.

Chris discusses the question of how deeply to retrofit and his research with Historic Environment Scotland.

🌿 Grigor Mitchell, Grigor Mitchell Architects 🌿

Grigor Mitchell Architects are an Edinburgh based practice. Director, Grigor Mitchell is an award-winning architect and certified Passivhaus designer specialising in innovative, economic and energy efficient projects for homeowners and commercial clients.

Grigor provides bespoke consultancy and assessment services for private clients, architectural practices and leading academic institutions. He is an experienced designer of retrofit projects who regularly incorporates the use of natural materials into his retrofit projects and is currently undertaking PAS 2035 training with the Retrofit Academy. Grigor is also employed as a part-time tutor at the University of Edinburgh.

Grigor discusses a few key case studies and offer guidance for homeowners undertaking a retrofit project.

#naturalmaterials #retrofit #insulation #internalinsulation #externalinsulation #renovation #refurb #carbonfootprint #healthyretrofit #naturalbuilding #lowcarbon


SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/3qYItt1

For more information about ACAN and to join our mailing list visit: https://www.architectscan.org/home

Theme music by Own Crouch https://www.owencrouchsound.com/

Welcome to the OFFICIAL Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) YouTube channel! Architects Climate Action Network is a network of individuals from within architecture and it’s related built environment professions taking action to address the twin crises of climate and ecological breakdown.

We recognise the compelling scientific consensus that our present trajectory will lead to catastrophe if we do not make ambitious and radical changes as a matter of urgency. We are already seeing the consequences. We also acknowledge that the built environment is a major contributing factor to the climate crisis and as such requires complete and rapid transformation (which we are yet to witness).

We can no longer remain secluded within personal and professional silos and instead must harness our agency as citizens with shared professional backgrounds to bring about the necessary changes to our industry. As a network of individuals, ACAN is able to act at speed, without conflict of interest, and is open to methods that may be unavailable to other campaign organisations.

#ACAN #ClimateChange #Architecture