14th February 2012
High profile speakers from the world of architecture and sustainable building technology will point the way forward to a low carbon UK at a conference to launch the findings of new research into refurbishing the UK’s ageing housing stock.
CoRE, the UK’s newly built Centre of Refurbishment Excellence, which is supported through the European Regional Development Fund, is to host a conference to debate how best to refurbish UK homes to meet the needs of people living in a low carbon, energy efficient economy.
New research into how the UK should meet this challenge has been commissioned by CoRE.
The report, A Fabric First Approach to Retrofit and Refurbishment Excellence, will be launched at the conference on 17 May, 2012.
Extensive research has been carried out by Cheshire based Room4 Consulting, commissioned by CoRE.
Dr Andrew Ainsworth from Room 4 will be joined by keynote speakers including Lynne Sullivan OBE, at the 17 May conference at the £11.4 million CoRE complex in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Lynne Sullivan is the lead member for sustainability and energy efficiency on the Government’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee and her company sustainableBYdesign has helped to pioneer an environment conscious approach to architecture
CoRE, the UK Centre of Refurbishment Excellence, has been developed to help the country’s construction industry workforce develop the necessary skills to match the scale of Britain’s refurbishment challenge.
CoRE is an independent national centre of learning and skills development for the construction industry working for a low carbon UK. Partners in the project are BRE, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke on Trent College.
The event will attract industry leaders including architects, engineers, surveyors, constructors, manufacturers and academics.
Dr Ainsworth said the conclusions of the research shows that the UK should look to a “fabric first” solution to solving its energy issues.
This means that home owners, housing associations and private landlords should think about passive measures, that is how to wrap up warm and better insulate their homes before considering active measures such as solar PVs or thermal collectors or ground or air source heat pumps.
“There is a tendency for people to immediately think of photovoltaics, wind turbines and other active measures when asked about making our homes and work places more energy efficient,” said Dr Ainsworth.
“But a Fabric First approach is necessary if we are to make the UK’s housing stock fit for our low carbon, energy efficient future. Our report provides research into what can be achieved and how we need to address the very considerable skill gaps we have identified.”
Jonathan Davis, Chief Executive of CoRE, said: “This is a huge economic opportunity for the country, but there is no one size fits all way to approach it. It’s crucial that we specify the right products and systems for the right buildings, avoid unintended consequences, ensure excellent workmanship and give customers value for money over the lifetime of their investments in energy efficiency”..
“This launch event highlights exciting new research commissioned by CoRE into the techniques, skills and training required to up-skill the UK construction industry workforce and supply chains. It will give industry leaders an excellent insight into how they can work with us to develop the skilled workforce that industry must have at its disposal to meet the challenges of fuel poverty, energy efficiency, the carbon crisis and the lack of jobs, especially for young people..”
For more information on CoRE visit www.core-skills.com.
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