Building Conservation and Sustainability in the United Kingdom

There is an assumption on the part of some that only new building technology can meet the increasingly restrictive construction and building standards both for the restoration or conversion of historic buildings and ‘new build’. Indeed carbon-free construction continues to be the long-term aim of the United Kingdom governments. In recent years the issue has been given political impetus as well as professional emphasis. The drive towards sustainability in building is exemplified in the successive introduction of Codes for Sustainable Construction. This paper seeks to examine the extent to which the principles of sustainability are applied in the conservation, restoration and adaptation of historic buildings in the United Kingdom. It will also outline how traditional buildings are already examples of sustainability and how they can be made to be more sustainable without doing harm to their character. It will also explore the ways in which tried and tested building techniques, craftsmanship and the use of traditional materials can still be used to meet emerging standards for sustainability and energy conservation. Whilst concentrating on historic properties the use of traditional materials and building techniques in respect of new-build will also be outlined, particularly in the context of retaining local distinctiveness and identity.