We read this article over the summer, which talks about retaining and reusing both materials and buildings themselves instead of starting from the beginning.
A Chapel in Dunton Green that we repurposed into a 3 bedroom home.
It comes after there was an outcry over the M&S Oxford Street flagship being torn down and rebuilt, much like the ex-Tesco store on our own High Street that will soon be replaced with new shops and apartments.
The environmental benefits of repurposing instead of rebuilding are that of saving on the impact of disposing of old materials and creating and installing new materials, along with the machinery and manpower it takes to make this happen. However, retrofitting old buildings to have a minimal carbon footprint also holds many challenges.
So what is right for your project?
If you’re questioning whether to renovate or rebuild to achieve your dream home ask yourself these questions:
Two new homes that we designed, which replaced a single house.
- What do you want to achieve with your home renovation project? Is it about creating extra space for your family, do you want your home to be carbon neutral, or are you looking to create your own Grand Design.
- How can your current building serve this purpose? What changes do you need to make at a minimum and also at a maximum.
- Are there any restrictions on your property that would prevent extensive changes? For example, are you living in a conservation area or a listed building.
- What is your style? Can you take current features of your house and maximise their potential, or do you prefer a blank canvas. Are environmental considerations of prime importance or something else.
- What is your budget? Naturally, rebuilding will cost more than renovating.
Once you have thought through all of these questions make sure you consult an architect about your options. They’ll be able to take your answers and advise you on the best course of action for your home renovation project.
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