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Knowle relocation project: prioritise retrofitting existing buildings over demolition and rebuild

  • by JW

The architect taken on by PegasusLife for their development at Knowle is very much respected in the profession:

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This is from the pages of the SW Architects:

 

Sidmouth Later Living responds to East Devon’s demand for older people’s housing. 113 apartments provide adaptable homes for later living in a supportive community. Shared use of a wellness suite, cinema, library, farmhouse kitchen, guest suite, restaurant and communal lounge encourage sociability amongst residents.

Sidmouth Later Living

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Here is a not-so pretty rendition of the same plans, from the Save Our Sidmouth pages:

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Perspectives of Knowle, before and after Pegasus Life proposals.

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Yes, not very pretty…

As asked a couple of years ago:

Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: PegasusLife proposals >>> Where is the innovative, sympathetic, green design?

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Interestingly, the SW Architects behind the PegasusLife development have been keen to promote innovative design and techniques:

Futures Forum: Self-build

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And what is particularly interesting is that a new campaign from the Architect’s Journal is being backed by SW Architects:

 

Introducing RetroFirst: a new AJ campaign championing reuse in the built environment

Amid the escalating climate crisis, Will Hurst introduces the AJ’s campaign to prioritise retrofitting existing buildings over demolition and rebuild

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The three demands of RetroFirst

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Retrofirst demands

Tax

Cut VAT rate on refurbishment, repair and maintenance from 20 per cent to 5 per cent

 

Retrofirst demands2

Policy

Promote the reuse of existing building stock and reclaimed construction material by introducing new clauses into planning guidance and the building regs

Retrofirst demands3

Procurement

Stimulate the circular economy and support a whole-life carbon approach in construction by insisting that all publicly funded project look to retrofit solutions first

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Architects work in a problematic sector of our economy. Worldwide, the construction industry consumes almost all the planet’s cement, 26 per cent of aluminium output, 50 per cent of steel production and 25 per cent of all plastics. Because of the way it gobbles up energy and resources, the industry’s carbon emissions are sky-high. While the UK construction industry has much to be proud of, it produces no less than 35-40 per cent of the country’s total emissions. As the government’s chief environmental scientist, Ian Boyd, has said of our current economic system, ‘emissions are a symptom of consumption and, unless we reduce consumption, we’ll not reduce emissions’… 

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Endorsements

Sarah Wigglesworth, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects
‘This initiative is urgent but well overdue. The three demands are based on sound science. They are unassailable and must be implemented if our government’s commitments to zero carbon are to have any credibility. Furthermore, existing buildings are what manifest the identity of places. They embody meaning and represent a resource waiting to be fulfilled’

Introducing RetroFirst: a new AJ campaign championing reuse in the built environment