Building conservation as a method of meeting sustainability targets in the historic built environment

Abstract

The need to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy consumption of the historic built environment is now being recognised as a critical factor in helping meet wider built environment sustainability targets. However, the historic built environment is intrinsically intertwined with our culture and our common heritage.

This talk will propose that the best way to meet the sustainability targets in the historic built environment is via a building conservation-focused strategy. The talk will look at some of the often overlooked and unique factors in meeting the challenge of reducing energy consumption and lowering emissions when dealing with historic built environment.

Biography

James is an architecturally trained building conservator specialising in sustainability and recording of the historic built environment. He is currently the programme leader for MSc Building Surveying at University College of Estate Management. James was previously a senior lecturer in sustainability of the existing built environment at Kingston University, teaching on the Architecture, Surveying and historic building conservation courses. James previously worked in practice on a variety of projects, including the Palace of Westminster, Beverly Minster and many smaller historic and residential schemes.

James is a member two ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Scientific committees; the UK National Scientific Committee on Digital Heritage and the International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability. James was made a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society in 2010 for his work on sustainability of the built environment. He has published widely on sustainability, health and conservation issues and his main research interests are sustainability of the existing built environment and the recording of existing buildings.

Venue

The talk will be held in Room 611 of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (building 16 On the campus map). The room is known as the Gabor Suite.

If you are entering the building from Dalby Court/through the building’s main entrance take the lift to the sixth floor, turn right through the double doors and it is near the end on your left hand side.