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*Traditional construction (solid wall) differs significantly from modern construction in that modern buildings are designed to keep moisture out with layers of impervious materials such as cement and plastic membranes. Traditional buildings however work by using solid semi-permeable materials that can absorb moisture without damage and release it slowly back into the environment as conditions become dryer. Adequate ventilation is a key part of this process. This is often referred to as ‘breathable construction’ and encompasses solid masonry buildings as well as timber framed construction, generally constructed before the First World War.

STBA-SPAB Conference - 7th June, London

We are delighted to announce the 2018 STBA-SPAB conference and exhibition which will again take place in June at Baxter’s Gallery in Clerkenwell, London.

Keynote speakers from Ofgem, Each Home Counts and ICOMOS will provide an update on policy and standards.

Delegates will hear about practical examples including the problems at the retrofit in Preston, what is happening in the Private Rented Sector, various projects in Scotland, and how a Whole House Approach is working out at scale in London.

During the day there will be a select group of exhibitors providing information on products and services in the traditional built environment. We are very pleased to have, as our Silver Sponsor, the Property Care Association.

£100+VAT – £85+VAT for *Partners – £70+VAT for STBA & SPAB Members

bookings via Eventbrite

Exhibition opportunities available. All enquiries to debbie@stbauk.org

Retrofit is at risk if not “whole house” approach

Problems revealed in the article “Disastrous Preston retrofit” by Kate de Selincourt (in Passive House Plus magazine) flag up the consequences of retrofit without the ‘Whole House’ approach. Unless the functioning of the building as a whole is taken into account, the result of retrofit will at best will be ineffectual and at worst damage the health of the building and occupants.

The STBA was established in response to concern over the “rush to retrofit”. Our work in this area continues so that the failures, such as in Preston, can be avoided. The STBA has produced guidance and information including “Planning Responsible Retrofit” and “Whole House” . In addition, we were commissioned to produce the Moisture in Buildings paper published by bsi and we have worked with Bristol City Council to deliver their guidance on “Solid Wall Insulation” and training programme for Bristol’s professionals and installers.

We are optimistic that, as the Whole House approach is starting to be recognised in government policy and guidance, retrofit will improve. However, there is still much work to be done and shall continue to apply pressure for more change – especially in the areas of assessment of buildings, EPCs and the SAP system for measuring energy rating.

Download What is Whole House Retrofit here.

Heritage, Environment & Industry: Common Ground and Conflicts‬ - December 2017

Our workshop in November got the ball rolling for this important programme by engaging with people from heritage, the environment and industry – but this is just the start of an ongoing discussion.

With the government encouraging industry to take the lead - in particular for retrofit - is it essential that we can find a common voice and alternatives to purely industry-led solutions. Only in this way can we create a truly sustainable traditional built environment.

Further Heritage and Sustainability events are planned for the future - and we hope this will give many more the opportunity to join us for these discussions.

A summary of the workshop outcomes is available here.

PRS Domestic Property Minimum Standard Guidance and SAP Updates - November 2017

The Domestic Private Rented Property Minimum Standard - Guidance for landlords and Local Authorities has now also been published.

From April 2018 it will become illegal to let out a property with an EPC rating worse than “E”.

EPCs are based on RdSAP, itself derived from SAP - the Standard Assessment Procedure.

Following pressure from the STBA and other organisations, the recent updates to SAP included a much needed change in the default u-value for solid walls from 2.10W/m2K to 1.70W/m2K. Although this remains higher than the evidence suggests, this change is significant because EPC rating of some traditional buildings may improve as a result.

This change is also important because savings from solid wall insulation have been overestimated in the past due to the incorrect default value. Assessment of retrofit measures and packages of measures can now be carried out on a more realistic basis.

Tamara Dimova, Energy Efficiency Policy Adviser at BEIS will be our guest speaker at the Advisory Group Meeting in February.

STBA & Heritage groups warn government over flawed approach to retrofitting older homes - November 2018

The STBA joined together with multiple heritage organisations -including STBA members, the National Trust, IHBC and SPAB - to write to the Government to emphasise that the one-size-fits-all approach to energy efficiency fails to recognise the unique nature of heritage properties.

The letter explains that policy to address the energy efficiency of the nation’s building stock is overly simplistic and designed from the perspective of modern construction and materials, ignoring fundamental building physics, resulting in inappropriate and potentially damaging measures.

Retrofitting Traditional Buildings: Principles and Practice - The Green Register

These one-day technical training events are run by STBA Supporting Organisation, The Green Register, and led by STBA Technical Director, Nicholas Heath. Nick covers current issues, solutions and emerging best practice in how to achieve ‘responsible retrofit’ – sustainable, low-energy traditional buildings with retained character, minimal risk to buildings and occupants and real benefits for all.

- 6 June, Sheffield

- 27 June, Bristol

- 12 September, Glasgow

- 19 September, London

- 10 October, Manchester

- 5 December, Exeter

More . . .

Understanding Building Conservation - CIOB Academy

These 2-day courses, led by John Edwards, looks at conservation for both residential and commercial property as well as historic monuments.

- 16-17 May 2018 - Stirling

- 21-22 May 2018 - London

More . . .

Repair of Old Buildings Courses - SPAB

- 14-18 May 2018

- 8-12 October 2018

More . . .

An immediate objective of the STBA is to focus on the risks and benefits associated with generic approaches to repair, maintenance and retro-fitting of traditional buildings. We have completed a gap analysis of current research on performance of traditional buildings, including an analysis of expertise and skills, in order to inform future research and policies.

We are establishing advocacy routes to key decision-makers involved in the sustainability of the built environment, including the Green Deal, in order to help inform policy development relating to traditional buildings.

We have completed a gap analysis of current research on performance of traditional buildings, including an analysis of expertise and skills, in order to inform future research and policies.

In addition, the STBA has identified three key areas of immediate concern relating to standards used in the refurbishment of traditional buildings:

Government Consultations - We are establishing advocacy routes to key decision-makers involved in the sustainability of the built environment, in order to help inform policy development relating to traditional buildings.
Standards and Regulations - The STBA has identified three key areas of immediate concern relating to standards used in the refurbishment of traditional buildings: Moisture Risk, Heat Loss and Internal Wall Insulation (IWI)
Advocacy - The STBA is also seeking to influence the performance/ delivery of retrofit projects on traditional buildings by working with leading owners of building stock to measure and improve the interventions adopted. So far this work has included work for Blackpool Council and Bristol City Council.