HOW TO MAKE NEW WITH OLD: Increasing building sustainability

摘要

It's only a few weeks since European Sustainable Development Week and the European Sustainable Energy Week took place in June. So now is a good time to reflect on how the building sector has evolved under pressure to minimise its environmental impact. The value of designing and constructing sustainable buildings is no longer in question. Research done by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) on the value of BREEAM-certified buildings has shown they can command a rental premium of up to 19.7 percent and an increased sale value of up to 14.7 percent relative to noncertified buildings in the same location. However, with many older commercial buildings still being highly energy intensive, renovating them with a green focus in mind should be foremost for property owners. I believe the true potential of increasing the overall building sustainability lies in retrofitting, and lighting control can play a big part.