Page 9 - Demo

Stone Heritage Register 2026-2027 9Natural stone is one of the most durable of all construction materials, giving maintenance teams the option to redress, clean and replace damaged elements without the need to flatten the building and start again.Natural Stone and Retrofit %u2013 A Natural FitAs specifiers become increasingly aware that a %u2018business as usual%u2019 approach to the carbon impacts of architecture and construction is no longer an option, there is a fresh drive to consider the alternatives.In September of 2019, Architects%u2019 Journal launched the RetroFirst campaign, aimed at prioritising the retrofitting of existing buildings over demolition and rebuild.The campaign sits alongside several other initiatives, all seeking to encourage architects to try and work with the existing structure as a more sustainable approach to architecture and construction.Retrofitting, or adding something new to something existing, is not a new approach in construction. Through good maintenance and conservation schemes, hundreds, if not thousands of natural stone structures have stood for centuries. Many of Great Britain%u2019s major cities have been architecturally defined by natural stone buildings that have stood the test of time, while buildings made from other materials have aged poorly and required demolition. Natural stone is one of the most durable of all construction materials giving maintenance teams the option to redress, clean and replace damaged elements, without the need to flatten the building and start again.The Repair & Restoration category at the Natural Stone Awards is full of fantastic examples of buildings that have been retrofitted, structures that, had they been constructed in concrete or other less durable materials, would have been demolished.One of the key factors is the decision by the original architects to choose natural stone. Unfortunately, the last few decades have seen the construction sector steer further and further away from durable building solutions and err more on the side of quick, cheap, but relatively temporary material choices. It is encouraging to see a shift away from this specification model, as the architectural industry is challenging itself to change its habits and techniques to deliver a more sustainable solution.The Architects%u2019 Journal campaign references a study by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that found that, of the 200 million tonnes of waste generated in Britain annually, 63% is construction debris.It is for this reason, among others, that proper maintenance is essential and if this is carried out periodically with suitable skill and understanding, the greater will be the environmental and practical advantages in the preservation of the structure.In Historic England%u2019s 2020, %u2018Heritage Counts%u2019 report there was a %u2018Greening Homes Guide%u2019 that listed a number of steps that homeowners can take to reduce the carbon emissions of their home. One such measure is to keep up with small repairs to the stonework elements of a property. Cracks in the joints or damaged pieces of stone can allow water in and affect the property%u2019s thermal efficiency. By regularly repairing these minor issues, homeowners can not only enhance the performance and durability of their home but also avoid the potentially higher costs that come when delayed repairs lead to larger issues.Historic England recommended speaking to a professional, and this Stone Heritage Register is the ideal place to start your search.It is essential that repairs or cleaning should be carried out by fully trained operatives, in order to avoid any damage being caused by an inappropriate method or an incompetent operative.In short, whether you are looking to deliver a large-scale sustainable commercial retrofit project, or want to ensure that your home is doing its part to deliver a more sustainable built environment, The Stone Heritage Register is an invaluable resource.