The Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance is a collaboration of organisations that acts as a forum for sustaining and improving *traditional buildings.


__________________________________________________________________________________

*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.

__________________________________________________________________________________


Featured News


_________________________________________________________________________________


Housing Retrofit vs Grid Decarbonisation

23 October 2019, Caerphilly Castle, Wales

 

STBA EVENT hosted by CADW

 

Our half-day workshop, kindly hosted by Cadw at Caerphilly Castle, included presentations and discussions on the best way forward for reducing whole-life carbon in retrofit in view of the proposed decarbonisation of the grid.  Download the programme here


Presentations will become available to download on our resources page (presentations & articles). 

 

 

Image description

This event was kindly sponsored by Lime Green Products, manufacturers of hydraulic lime mortar, lime plaster & lime render and working to improve their products by collaborating with other companies & organisations, as well as through ongoing research and development in key areas such as product chemistry, environmental assessment and historic building maintenance.





PAS 2035 published - June 2019


 

PAS 2035 Retrofitting dwellings for improved energy efficiency - specification and guidance has now been published. This standard represents a major step forward for the industry, especially as the aims of the retrofit process as set out in PAS 2035 include the avoidance of unintended consequences, improved comfort, health & wellbeing plus the protection and enhancement of architectural heritage.

 

While the standard will initially apply only to publicly funded works (mainly ECO3), it is hoped that this will establish best practice across all retrofit activity.

 

The standard is now available via the BSI website. Unfortunately, it has been coupled with the revised PAS 2030 which makes the package even more expensive than it would otherwise be. We are currently negotiating for our members to receive a discount when purchasing PAS 2035/2030. This will be available for a limited time (2 months) and members wishing to take advantage of this offer can email debbie@stbauk.org for further information.


Read more about PAS 2035 in the article by John Edwards (one of the STBA Panel of Experts) in Construction Manager.

 

New best practice methodology for investigation of Moisture in Buildings - November 2019

 

 

Our supporters - RICS, Historic England, the Property Association (PCA), Cadw and Historic Environment Scotland - are collaborating to produce best practice methodology for the investigation of moisture and its effects in traditional buildings.  


This document is currently a working draft but can be downloaded here.

 



Whole-House Retrofit – STBA project with Melin Homes


 

The STBA is piloting a large-scale Whole-House retrofit project under the BEIS Thermal Efficiency Innovation Fund initiative, working with social housing provider Melin Homes, on 30-40 dwellings in South Wales.

 

Following surveys of building fabric and services, ventilation and indoor air quality as well as context and heritage value, we have drawn up retrofit plans for each property. STBA and Melin Homes are now discussing the repair work that needs to be carried out prior to retrofit. We expect that repairs will be carried out on some properties in September and retrofit works will commence in October.

 

Alongside the training for surveyors, we are also developing training for installers and inspectors. Following further testing, the process, survey templates and supporting methodology will be released as a toolkit for industry use across the UK.

 

More . . . .


Join our mailing list


Keep up with the latest news, events and research updates from STBA




The STBA Newsletter
- click here



Follow us on Twitter!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Forthcoming Events

 


STBA Members Meeting - 18th February 2020

 

Members and Supporting Organisations are invited to the 2020 Advisory Group Meeting in London on 18th February from 4.00. Following a guest speaker (tba) we shall have discussions with our members about priorities for the coming year. See 'Past Events' for a summary of the 2019 event. 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Upcoming Events by Others: 

 

 

 

Traditional Building Retrofit: Case Studies - Green Register half-day seminar led by STBA's Nick Heath

 

Due to popular demand, this course has been designed as a follow up to Nick Heath's "Retrofitting Traditional Buildings" course. 
  • 12 February 2020, Manchester
  • 29 April 2020, Bristol
  • 20 May 2020, Canterbury
  • 1 July 2020, London

 

 

Retrofitting Traditional Buildings - 1-day Green Register course led by STBA's Nick Heath

 

One-day technical training events, run by STBA Supporting Organisation, The Green Register, and led by STBA Technical Director, Nicholas Heath. 

 

Upcoming date(s):

  • 11 December 2019, Manchester
  • 11 March 2020, Bristol
  • 22 April 2020, Canterbury
  • 3 June 2020, London
  • 9 June 2020, Glasgow

 

More . . . . 

 

 

 

ESC - Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings

 

 

A two-day course run by ESC in conjunction with CITB National Construction College.

  • 7-8 January 2020, Cardiff

More . . . .

 

 


Living with Your Old House - SPAB Course

  • 16 November, London

 More . . . 

 

More Events news . . . 


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Guidance


Image description

Whole House Retrofit: a short paper that sets out the background to the development of the whole house approach, then examines the various levels of retrofit which are often described as whole house but in reality most fall far short. 

 

The STBA’s optimal approach (Responsible Retrofit) is explained, together with a final section which looks forward to a vision of transformative retrofit and the role that it could play in delivering a truly sustainable society for the 21st century. 


What-is-Whole-House-Retrofit-Dec2016.pdf
Whole House Retrofit

Planning Responsible Retrofit: designed for use by owners, designers, project managers and contractors when planning a retrofit project. 

the STBA Guide to Planning Responsible Retrofit.pdf
Planning Responsible Retrofit


Moisture in Buildings: an integrated approach to risk assessment and guidance by Neil May (UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings) and Chris Sanders 


Available to download via the bsi website.


Bristolians' Solid Wall Insulation Guidance: Solid-wall insulation guide and video developed for those living in Bristol to help them make more informed decisions about how to insulate their homes.  This guidance is now used by professionals as well as homeowners all over the UK.

2015_bristolsolidwallinsulationguidance.pdf
Bristolian Solid Wall Insulation Guidance




View the video here.

More Guidance & Research . . . 


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




Policy


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. 

More on Policy . . .


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Get Involved  -  STBA Membership


Organisations interested in supporting our work 

can get involved as 

a Member (not-for-profits) 

or Affiliate Member (for profit) Click here


Image description

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________