Conservation & Heritage Issue 52 Summer/Autumn 2026 - Flipbook - Page 41
and climate, adaptable use of space and careful material
optimisation. Weather protection, thermal stability,
thoughtful use of light, and natural airflow combine to
create a robust and sustainable building fabric.
Keeping the structure preserves that carbon. Demolition
and replacement of these buildings carry a significant carbon
burden. Refurbishment, by contrast, can reduce embodied
carbon by 50–75% compared to demolition and new build.
In the current climate, traditional buildings face two risks:
Refurbishment is key to retaining our built heritage,
providing much-needed housing, and reusing materials with
minimal environmental impact.
Inaction
Failing to thermally refurbish or maintain traditional
buildings leads to long-term environmental, economic and
social consequences. Without sufficient maintenance and
upgrades, these buildings continue to consume excessive
energy, locking in high carbon emissions and undermining
climate targets. Occupants face higher energy bills, increased
fuel poverty and health risks from cold and damp conditions.
Craft and integrity – on site reality
The challenge is not simply improving energy performance.
It is doing so without compromising integrity.
For traditional lime plasterer Graham Mills, the principle is
straightforward.
Inappropriate intervention
“
Inappropriate decorative or thermal interventions in
traditional buildings can cause more harm than good.
Using non-breathable materials (such as cement renders or
impermeable insulation and coatings) can trap moisture
within solid masonry walls, leading to condensation, mould
growth, timber rot, and accelerated decay of historic fabric.
After more than 20 years working with traditional
buildings, I know that Building Better starts with
preparation and understanding each property’s
character… rather than a business-as-usual approach,
industry advisors and suppliers should not be afraid to
say no where a building is not ready or suitable. This is
where integrity speaks volumes.”
Increasing airtightness without introducing adequate
ventilation can reduce indoor air quality, create a condensation
risk and cause overheating. In addition, insensitive alterations
may compromise architectural character, reduce heritage
value and even violate conservation regulations. Stripping
externally rendered walls and exposing their masonry fabric
to the elements completely transforms the moisture balance
of many traditional walls, which should never have been
exposed in the first place.
This need for careful assessment is well recognised within
conservation practice, as Fergal McGirl, RIAI Grade 1
Conservation Architect, explains:
“
The area of retrofit of historic buildings is a
challenging one that requires careful technical and
heritage assessment of the structure’s characteristics
to ensure appropriate approaches are followed. We
must be sure that the materials we use are compatible
with the building and that each step is appropriate.
Getting comprehensive advice and risk assessment at
specification stage, along with on-site support during
construction stage, is key in maintaining quality
control.”
Above, Graham Mills, Lime Plasterer
Fergal McGirl,
RIAI Grade 1 Conservation Architect
Keeping carbon locked in
As Carl Elefante, former president of the American Institute
of Architects, famously stated, “The Greenest building is
the one that already exists”. Traditional buildings (brick,
stone, timber, lime mortar) already contain large amounts
of embodied carbon from extraction, manufacturing and
construction.
Above, Diathonite Thermactive .037: lime, clay & cork insulating plaster
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