Whitman, C J; Prizeman, O; Walker, P and Gwilliam, J A (2020) Heritage retrofit and cultural empathy; a discussion of challenges regarding the energy performance of historic UK timber-framed dwellings. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 38(2), pp. 386-404. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: The energy retrofit of the existing building stock, and specifically the thermal upgrading of the buildings' envelopes, has been identified as a key action for both the decarbonisation of the built environment and the reduction in fuel poverty. When considering the energy retrofit of heritage buildings it is, however, important to recognise both the technical issues that this entails and the potential impact on their cultural value and the emotional responses to it. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the thermal upgrading of historic timber-framed buildings in the UK. Design/methodology/approach: The paper begins by exploring the cultural significance of this form of building construction, before examining three case studies using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Findings: The results show that whilst the application of energy retrofit actions to this emblematic typology may have limited success, the emotional connection of the buildings' occupants often results in the work resulting in higher user satisfaction than would otherwise be expected. Research limitations/implications: Although limited in number, the three case studies provide an insight into the complex issues surrounding the low energy retrofit of historic timber-framed buildings. Further research into this area is encouraged. Practical implications: The paper contains the monitoring of specific retrofit details, the results of which should inform future projects. Social implications: The review of the cultural significance of historic timber-frame buildings in the UK underlines the importance of the conservation and continuing survival of these buildings. Originality/value: Previous heritage retrofit research in the UK has focussed on solid wall construction with little investigation into the issues surrounding the retrofit of historic timber-frame buildings. This paper explores this previously under-researched area. Additionally, this paper begins to explore the possible links between occupants' emotional connection to historic buildings and their perceived levels of comfort.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cultural significance; energy retrofit; historic timber frame; thermal comfort |
| Index terms: | heritage building, user satisfaction, methodology, key action, fuel poverty, upgrading, historic building, building construction, building stock, investigation, comfort, thermal comfort, built environment, monitoring, conservation, survival, energy performance, low energy, case study, cultural significance |
| Subjects: | client relations, data collection methods, construction type, strategic management, control systems, environmental policy, environmental science, energy systems, research methods, cross-cultural studies, building construction, asset management, occupational health and safety management, environmental engineering, infrastructure and transport systems |
| Topics: | Site Management, Urban Studies, International Construction, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Project Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here