Retrofitting existing buildings: the added value

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Replacing an old pool can cost nearly as much as installing a new pool, which is essentially what you’ll be doing if you decide to rip the old one out and start from scratch. Fiberglass pools shouldn’t need resurfacing, but a disused fiberglass pool may still end up with an unsightly finish you’ll want to refresh. However, it’s costly to resurface a worn fiberglass pool — smaller fiberglass pools can easily cost $10,000 or more to refinish. We work with fiberglass pools because we prefer their surface durability — you may never need to replace a fiberglass pool’s surface if it’s reasonably well-maintained. It’s not uncommon for existing homes to come with pre-built pools — over 10 million homes in the United States have pools, and many thousands more are installed each year. Some homeowners take better care of their pools than others, leaving future owners with disused pools.

The Benefits of Pool Refurbishment

Early option appraisal and planning, together with data analysis can help guide decisions, often before a site is acquired. The built environment demands around 40 per cent of the world’s extracted materials while waste from demolition and construction represents the largest single waste stream in many countries. We are a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. She has working as a lead design engineer and project manager within Arup for almost 20 years, and has ove 10 years experience working on rennovation projects. Once more, the goal is to extend the existing structure’s lifespan and utility, without resorting to demolition or new building.

Fire Safety Retrofitting: What You Need to Know

Every architectural project at our practice is overseen by Robin, ensuring you’re in the safest of hands. Sometimes, trying to save a building is like trying to repair a smartphone that's been through the washing machine – technically possible, but not always sensible. But as you'll see, the benefits of repurposing buildings go far beyond pounds and pence.

Top Benefits of Fire Safety Retrofitting

The use of sustainable and resilient materials is integral to adaptable architecture. These materials enhance environmental performance and durability, ensuring buildings can withstand changing conditions and reduce maintenance requirements. Windows are the weakest point of insulation in a building's envelope and contribute greatly to how thermally effective that envelope is.[40] Because of this, windows are another common area of focus for a green retrofit. Similar to a lighting retrofit, windows are a relatively straightforward aspect of a building to retrofit, with easy-to-calculate payback periods. Modern, efficient windows are generally sized for existing window openings and can usually be installed without much additional work on the building envelope. Over the past 20 years, around 150,000 housing units have been demolished in France, with the aim of replacing worn-down modernist projects with contemporary ones.

Comparing Cost-Effective Retrofitting Solutions

Solar panels, for instance, can be added to rooftops to generate electricity, while geothermal heat pumps can provide sustainable heating solutions. These renewable energy options can often offset a building's energy needs, making them a viable option for both urban and rural retrofitting projects. There are many factors to account for when considering a green roof for a green retrofit. Extensive green roofs use a thin substrate layer for the often shorter vegetation that needs less room for roots to grow. Intensive green roofs use a thicker growing substrate to accommodate larger plant species that require more space for their roots. The strength of the existing structure must be considered; many existing structures were not designed for an intensive green roof, which can carry a considerable structural load.

FILTRATION AND WATER TREATMENT

This compatibility is critical for the smooth operation and integration of entire production lines. stainless steel therapy pools with customizable water depth as 'Her Retrofit Space' in the UK, focus on empowering women professionals in the retrofit industry. By providing resources, training access, and networking opportunities, they aim to close the gender gap in the industry while advancing sustainable refurbishment practices. With the need to expand the workforce in many countries, advocating women in the workforce is an important aspect of driving workforce growth. Less than a quarter (21.7 percent) of the respondents prioritised energy bill savings, 12.3 percent relied on government rebates and incentives, and only 11 percent were motivated by environmental benefits. A majority of the participants reported being influenced by a combination of these factors.

Features and customization options

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Owners must weigh the potential operational expenses against the desire for an extended swimming season. To optimize energy efficiency, owners can explore supplementary measures such as solar covers to retain heat and minimize heat loss during cooler periods, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the solar pool heating system. It’s essential to consider the available space around the pool for heater placement and the distance from electrical outlets for proper installation. The compatibility of the heater with the existing pool plumbing and circulation system should also be carefully evaluated. The 2poolsin1 company, an expert in the field of structural mobility, designs and customizes your swimming pool project which can be used 12 months of the year. Thanks to the movement of the mobile building part intended to protect the pool area from weather condition variations, your modular pool can be used all year round. This may involve programming the heater to run during off-peak hours or integrating it with a pool cover to minimize heat loss. Conducting a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure, including the electrical capacity and plumbing connections, is paramount for a successful installation. Infrastructure assessment helps to identify any necessary modifications or upgrades to accommodate the new heating system, ensuring compatibility and safe operation. Rebuilding your pool may seem like the more time-consuming option, but that’s not the case. Traditional pools and modular swimming pools each come with their unique set of advantages as well as complexities to consider. Some of the first positive experiences of industrialisation and modularity within the renovation process can be found in the Horizon 2020 projects SINFONIA and iNSPIRe. Yes, it is important to properly maintain your pool and heating system to ensure they continue to function efficiently.

What is Renovation?

Many argue that the epitome of sustainability is to not build at all, which equites to preservation and refurbishment. Another low-cost measure is to replace any incandescent and CFL bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights (with appropriate wattage for required brightness) which will reduce the overall energy consumption for artificial lighting. Also, setting the air conditioner (AC) temperatures between 24°C to 26°C for cooling and using ceiling fans with ACs provides improved thermal comfort and decreases energy consumption. As the houses welcome a new generation of owners, many of them are extensively renovated and gutted of their original features. CJ Arkitekter, a Danish company, suggested removing a recent 18-square-metre extension and restoring the original floor plan and facades, contradicting a general tendency of adding more square metres to family houses. While we’ve listed the many perks retrofitting offers, there are also hurdles developers face when bringing old buildings into the 21st century. With clever design and modern innovations, many retrofitted buildings can match or come close to new build standards. This was seen in Westminster this year, as the council announced plans that require developers to first explore retrofitting before demolition and rebuild. Developers will have to fork out carbon off-setting payments that are up to nine times as they were previously.

Maintenance and Care for Retrofit Windows

The most important thing to do when renovating a pool is to enlist the help of a swimming pool refurbishment specialist and get a detailed design drawn up before starting any works. There are many specialist pieces of equipment and best-practices which require experienced input and attention to detail. The comfortable water temperature throughout the year not only enhances the overall swimming experience but also contributes to promoting health and wellness, soothing muscles, and relieving stress. This extended usage and added comfort make the investment in spa and pool heating systems a worthwhile consideration for those seeking to maximize their outdoor leisure and recreational spaces. Figure 3 assumes an initial embodied carbon for new build based on AECOM research alongside a refurbishment scenario that retains the sub-structure and structure of an existing building. There is a further refurbishment after 25 years that covers the building services and interior fit-out. In the ever-evolving landscape of architecture and engineering, the art of retrofitting has emerged as a crucial practice in revitalizing existing structures. This process of upgrading or modifying existing buildings to enhance their functionality, sustainability, and safety, plays a pivotal role in adapting to changing building codes, technological advancements, and modern needs. Advancements in automation technologies have the potential to revolutionize the retrofitting process, making it more accessible and cost-effective. Automation will play a vital role in achieving smart cities and sustainable buildings by optimizing energy consumption and creating more efficient and comfortable living and working spaces. Vertical circulation options include limited-use elevators compact platform lifts & stair lifts for different budget levels. Handrails at optimal heights continuous path lighting & wider hallways with passing spaces ensure safe navigation. ADA compliance retrofitting focuses on meeting legal requirements while maximizing space efficiency. Key solutions include widening doorways to 32-inch clearance installing lever-style door handles & adding wheelchair-accessible ramps with proper slope ratios.

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