SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 20 June 2020
STP161720180075

A Window of Opportunity

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The demand for the adaptive reuse of prewar and postwar landmark buildings and structures is rising, and it will continue to rise: particularly with a changing climate, where energy conservation has become a significant influence on refurbishment. There is a widely held belief that upgrading, or reimagined occupancy, must be in practical or commercial conflict with preservation; but in fact, projects informed by a good understanding of the behavior of the building envelope and the significance (or otherwise) of its components can achieve remarkable results. This paper highlights the wider role that must be played by building science in developing a more nuanced understanding of energy use in the built environment: one that looks at the fundamental role of occupants and their control over their environments, as well as the fabric. This approach to minimizing energy use until very recently drove innovation in the built environment, and it retains its power. By looking at the example of architectural glazing through history, it is possible to see that energy conservation and conservation are twin goals. Together, they can deliver enormous benefits in terms of both sustainability and improved conditions for building use. As examples of this approach, the paper discusses two recent Californian examples involving the conservation of twentieth-century glazing: the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla and the former Gibraltar Savings and Loan building in Beverly Hills. These case studies demonstrate how intervention and conservation can be balanced to maximize retention of original buildings’ fabric and maintain their cultural and aesthetic significance, while ensuring long and productive futures for these buildings.

Author Information

Normandin, Kyle
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Engineers & Architects, P.C., New York, NY, US
Pender, Robyn
Technical Conservation, Historic England, London, GB
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Details
Developed by Committee: E06
Pages: 67–87
DOI: 10.1520/STP161720180075
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-7681-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-7680-5