Conservation & Heritage Issue 52 Summer/Autumn 2026 - Flipbook - Page 42
Like fingerprints, no two traditional buildings are the same.
Each requires an appreciation of its unique characteristics and
respect for its setting. There are no quick wins when it comes
to the thermal refurbishment of traditional buildings. The
most successful outcomes come from careful assessment and
a considered, sensitive systems approach, one that retains key
architectural features while delivering meaningful thermal
improvements through breathable materials and finishes.
This requires a careful balancing act. Rash interventions and
the use of inappropriate impervious insulation or decorative
finishes can cause long-term harm.
Stewardship, not intervention
At its core, Building Better is deeply connected to the values
and vision of our ancestors. Millions of traditional buildings
across the UK and Ireland stand as testament to their
resilience and durability.
Building Better is not about replacing that legacy. It is about
respecting it. We have a responsibility to understand and
learn from our forebears and carefully employ compatible
materials available today and carefully utilise them to
enhance comfort, wellbeing and energy efficiency of these
buildings.
Working together, industry experts, government
organisations, training bodies, traditional trades and
homeowners, can provide more durable, healthy and
appropriate thermal upgrades without compromising
character or a performance.
Above, Barn Retrofit
We believe that Building Better is the start of a wider
conversation and this is only the beginning.
Learning from experience – changing mindset on site
To learn more about the principles behind Building Better
and the role of traditional buildings in a more sustainable
future, visit www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com
UK contractor David Benn, DMB Building Ltd, describes
how his approach to traditional buildings evolved through
experience.
“
“
Building Better, for me, starts long before materials are
specified. It starts with understanding the building.
“
That changed when I started working more closely
with breathable materials and approaches designed for
traditional buildings. It made me realise that traditional
buildings aren’t failing, they just work differently. They
manage moisture, they move and they need materials
that work with them.
“
I’ll be honest, I didn’t always think like that. Like most
builders, I started out using the usual fixes. Damp?
Inject it. Cold wall? Board it. I didn’t really understand
how traditional buildings behave or how easy it is to
make things worse with the wrong materials.
Above, Ullswater Project
The real shift for me has been the mindset. Building
Better isn’t about throwing products at a problem, it’s
about understanding the building first and choosing
materials that respect it.”
Enhancing energy efficiency
While improving energy performance is vital, it must not
come at the expense of a building’s character and integrity.
The energy efficiency of most traditional buildings can be
significantly enhanced, helping to keep them in use while
ensuring they remain comfortable, viable and relevant long
into the future.
Above, Lake District retrofit
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