Conference article

Innovative and efficient refurbishment offers significant carbon savings and is a growing activity; driven by Government imposing energy or carbon related standards and policies upon building owners. Many businesses are becoming aware of the wider benefits of these improvements and therefore; their requirements as construction industry clients are changing. Built environment professionals need to recognize this change to remain competitive. This paper considers the question of whether there is a need for a re-alignment of disciplines within the industry to fulfill this growing role. A desk study; supported by structured interviews with users of large; non-domestic buildings and with industry professionals concluded that there is a role within the construction industry for a new built environment professional. A competence specification for this professional was defined and this paper outlines the skill set and knowledge base that this individual would require in order to deliver a truly innovative; comprehensive and compatible intervention set within an energy led refurbishment.

Energy; Refurbishment; Client requirements