Build-Up Net Zero means building new homes on top of existing apartments whilst retrofitting the existing dwellings to provide a full net-zero building. The concept addresses the dual challenges landlords face; retrofitting existing homes, and building more homes. We set two of our teams the challenge of designing innovative ways to Build Up Net Zero, and asked them to ensure their solutions improved the business case so that their solutions could be rapidly scaled across the UK’s millions of suitable apartment buildings.
Retrofitting apartments to Net Zero is more technically difficult than retrofitting houses. Energy consumption, roof sizes compared to floor area, and tenure differences all add complexities. In the UK, only houses have been retrofitted with the Energiesprong approach so far. We set two teams the challenge of coming up with innovative ways to retrofit two very different types of apartment buildings.
At Futurebuild in March 2020, we had the opportunity to interview 5 of the 6 consortia winners.
