Why retrofitting is key to a sustainable built environment

The pressure is on to retrofit the built environment so it’s more environmentally friendly and can stand the test of time. Planners want developers to reuse existing buildings rather than develop new schemes and are implementing retrofit first policies as a result, but with such diverse buildings and solutions available, how do we do this without major disruption and sky-high bills?

Why the pressure is on to retrofit

Many businesses are now obligated to report carbon emissions, which has triggered a hunt for offices and facilities with green credentials. It isn’t surprising that, according to a 2024 Sustainability Report from RICS, occupier and investor demand for green buildings
has risen.

Given buildings are the second highest-emitting sector, the UK government is also setting legislation that raises the required environmental performance of buildings to support their target to reach net zero by 2050. The UK and Ireland’s built environment, although a big contributor to carbon emissions, is also treasured by many. We are world famous for our historic buildings and the stories they tell, with just under 500,000 listed buildings in the UK. Of the approximately , 5.9m buildings (21%) were built before 1919, and a further 4.3m (15%) before 1944.

Unfortunately, historic buildings typically have low energy performance due to limited insulation, single glazing and poor air tightness. The structural make-up of these buildings also vary hugely as different building methods were used across the decades. Many lack original design plans that would inform retrofits, and there is often limited data available on their current structure. This poses a real challenge to an industry that is trying to deliver big changes at pace.

Retrofitting buildings so they are energy efficient and swapping out old energy generation systems for new decarbonised setups is no mean feat. One of the biggest barriers to making the UK’s built environment more sustainable identified by RICS is initial cost outlay – with no “one-size-fits-all” retrofit solution, it’s easy to see why.

The cost associated with knocking everything down and rebuilding means starting again isn’t an option. We also need to avoid losing the enormous amounts of embodied carbon in existing buildings and the emissions associated with the mining and fabrication of raw materials needed for new developments.

So how can the industry retrofit without it being very costly and extremely disruptive?

Simulating retrofit before a spade hits the ground

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been widely used in the construction industry for new assets but it’s now coming into its own and demonstrating is value when assessing the process of retrofitting older structures for energy efficiency, preservation and repurposing.

We use advanced scanning technologies at Murphy Geospatial, such as 3D laser scanning or LiDAR, to accurately capture the existing conditions of older buildings via digital geospatial data. This data can then be integrated into a BIM environment to provide a comprehensive baseline that can be used to simulate retrofit projects, which can then be tested out in the model, rather than on-site.

The precise understanding of existing conditions in a digital model means any problems associated with retrofit options – whether that’s introducing air source heat pumps, extra insulation or PV panels – can be spotted and problem solved in the digital model, avoiding both disruption and spiralling costs.

BIM can also facilitate:

Thermal modelling to identify and maximise energy efficiency opportunities.
Seamless stakeholder collaboration through shared digital models accessible in real-time.
Space optimisation, ensuring layouts are used to their full potential.
Proactive maintenance planning, extending the lifespan of assets.
Enhanced disaster resilience, helping buildings withstand future challenges.

Accurate geospatial measurements are crucial

Many in the industry believe that accurately measuring carbon emissions from buildings will be expected in the years to come, but carbon emissions reporting isn’t the only big drive for accurate data in the construction industry because bad data – environmental or otherwise – comes with a cost.

As many as 36% of UK construction businesses currently capture progress data for their project but do not analyse it due to a lack of process and data integration. This is reflected in the 43% of leaders that say their organisation store data on too many different platforms, and 37% who say they have difficulty integrating data across platforms.

Data inaccuracy comes from disconnected communication channels where site data is shared, or teams use outdated information that hasn’t been validated. Geospatial data overseen in a geospatial management plan offers the opportunity to take live projects from build to digital reality, filling the gaps in lost data and streamlining data sharing among teams so everyone has one version of the truth. Find out more about Understanding Geospatial Management and Its Importance in Your Projects.

Accurate geospatial measurements are crucial during construction as it provides the framework for digital delivery, multiple stakeholder collaboration and is the cornerstone of automation.

Investing in the future with cost-effective retrofit designs

Retrofitting the UK’s built environment is a huge job but understanding the precise layout and structure of existing buildings and simulating retrofit options in a digital environment before any changes are made on site, will support the industry to develop informed and cost-effective retrofit first designs.

Investments made into capturing a building’s geospatial data digitally will continue to bear fruit in the future, too. The geospatial data fed into BIM acts as the launch pad for the next phase of design, construction, refurbishment and facilities management – the digital twin. A digital twin ties the digital representation of the building together with the physical reality of how the building is used, and how this can be improved.

With the right tools and skillsets, “retrofit first” is far more achievable than it might initially look. Not only that but any investments made in gathering the right data will hold significant value well into the future.

The way buildings are used, and our expectations of our environment, will continue to change, along with our climate and legislation. Asset owners and managers with the data that allows them to simulate any changes they want to make in response will always have a head start. With the right data, “retrofit first” can become a reality.