Sustainable listed building refurbishment

Architect designed grade 2 listed Georgian terrace house on a square in london

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Author: Ben Ridley, Architect, BSc (Hons) Dip Arch RIBA

ARB registration no. 078209B

Ben founded Architecture for London in 2011 and has since designed a number of widely published and award-winning projects. He leads on design, sustainability, practice management and strategic direction.

Contact me: 020 3637 4236

Introduction

Sustainable listed building refurbishment is a key challenge in our built environment. Historic homes and heritage buildings must be upgraded to meet modern standards of comfort and energy efficiency, while their historic character and significance are carefully preserved.

This article highlights the key challenges and opportunities in sustainable listed building refurbishments. It examines the draft Historic England Advice Note (HEAN) on adapting historic buildings and considers how its guidance can, and should, go further in the context of the climate emergency.

As a RIBA Chartered Practice, our commitment to sustainable refurbishment, especially in residential properties, is not just about reducing carbon footprints but about making homes fit for modern living: improving comfort, air quality and usability, while respecting and enhancing historic fabric.

If you are planning a sustainable listed building refurbishment, contact us on 020 3637 4236 to arrange a consultation and discuss your project.

Our refurbishment of a listed building in Barnsbury

Sustainable materials in listed buildings

At Architecture for London, our fabric-first approach to sustainability is grounded in research and an understanding of materials.

The embodied energy of construction materials and the performance of buildings in use are key considerations in our listed building refurbishments. By prioritising the existing fabric and carefully upgrading it, we can:

Reduce environmental impact by retaining and improving existing structures rather than demolishing and rebuilding.
Improve thermal comfort through better insulation, reduced draughts and carefully designed glazing.
Enhance indoor air quality by using low‑VOC and natural materials and integrating appropriate ventilation strategies.

We use low‑VOC paints, natural insulation such as wood fibre, and breathable plasters to encourage healthier indoor environments. In many listed buildings, these natural, vapour‑open materials are more compatible with original masonry and timber than conventional, impermeable products.

Our work spans both residential and commercial projects. We have a particular focus on existing buildings within conservation areas and listed properties. The unique challenges these sites present require a nuanced approach, balancing heritage conservation with the need for environmental sustainability.

bayswater house interior design with walnut burl desk in study area and Georgian panelled window shutters — Listed building in Bayswater

Why the sustainable refurbishment of listed buildings matters

The UK has set ambitious carbon reduction targets. The AECB projects that around 28 million homes will require deep retrofitting by 2050. A significant proportion of these are hard‑to‑treat homes built before 1930, many of which are listed or in conservation areas.

Without a clear strategy for sustainable listed building refurbishment, it will be impossible to reach these national climate goals. Listed buildings often have:

Solid brick or stone walls with no cavity insulation.
Single‑glazed, draughty windows.
Inefficient heating systems and poor airtightness.

Despite this, they are unquestionably desirable for their design and historic character. They were often built with high‑quality materials, generous ceiling heights and adaptable internal layouts. With sensitive design, these homes can be made significantly more energy efficient while retaining their heritage value.

Bridging the gap: heritage, planning, and sustainability

There is often a disconnect between the high ambitions for retrofit and the sometimes cautious or unsupportive stance of local planning authorities. This gap is a critical barrier to meaningful progress in the sector.

If we are to meet the UK’s ambitious carbon reduction targets, it is essential to aim for stringent Passivhaus or EnerPHit standards to achieve the highest possible standard of sustainable refurbishment, even when retrofitting listed buildings. Achieving these standards will result in:

Significantly lower operational energy use.
Stable internal temperatures.
Reduced risk of condensation and mould.

If we are to meet the UK’s carbon reduction commitments, it is crucial that sustainable listed building refurbishment is not seen as optional or experimental, but as a mainstream and necessary approach.

Discover Architecture for London’s residential listed building projects. If you would like to discuss sustainable refurbishment works for your listed house, please contact us.

House extension to a Grade II listed Georgian house in london with steps up to the garden — Extension and refurbishment of a Grade II listed Georgian house

What is The Historic England Advice Note?

The Historic England Advice Note (HEAN) on retrofitting historic buildings is designed for use by local planning authorities, heritage professionals and other stakeholders engaged in the planning system.

Historic buildings will inevitably change over time. The aim is to ensure that this change:

Supports environmental goals.
Keeps buildings practical and meaningful for the people who live in, visit and look after them.
Protects and celebrates heritage significance.

When approached with care and good judgement, interventions in historic buildings can safeguard heritage and contribute to climate objectives simultaneously. Through considered repair, ongoing maintenance and appropriate adaptation, we can ensure that listed buildings remain in active use.

This re-use plays a significant role in avoiding the embodied energy that might otherwise be incurred by creating new buildings.

An interior design of a Georgian house in London with green painted walls in the living room and original timber floor — An interior design of a Georgian house in London

HEAN: A critical analysis of sustainable and energy-efficient refurbishments

While the draft HEAN provides some guidance on adapting historic buildings for energy efficiency, it falls short of the progressive stance needed to address the climate emergency effectively.

Glazing and window upgrades

The advice on thermally efficient glazing focuses largely on double‑glazed windows. However, in many contexts, particularly in exposed or cold locations, there is a strong case for exploring:

Triple‑glazed units.
Vacuum‑glazing technologies.
High‑performance secondary glazing systems for sensitive façades.

These technologies can significantly reduce operational carbon by improving the thermal performance of windows, as these are often the weakest element in a building’s envelope. Carefully detailed glazing upgrades can retain historic proportions and profiles while dramatically improving comfort and energy performance.

Insulation and breathability

The draft HEAN rightly emphasises the use of appropriate, breathable insulation materials, particularly on solid wall constructions. Natural products such as wood fibre insulation can help manage moisture, reduce the risk of interstitial condensation and improve internal comfort.

However, the document is more cautious when it comes to external insulation. In practice, external insulation is generally preferable than internal because it can:

Reduce thermal bridges at floor and wall junctions.
Protect vulnerable masonry.
Provide a continuous thermal layer with low risk of condensation.

While external insulation will not be suitable for all elevations or all listed buildings, especially decorative façades, it can be an excellent solution on less sensitive side or rear elevations. A stronger endorsement of such case‑by‑case external insulation strategies would support more ambitious retrofits.

Guidance for local planning authorities

The advice directed at local planning authorities contains valuable principles, but it would benefit from:

More specific case studies showcasing successful, high‑performance refurbishments.
Clearer decision‑making frameworks that balance heritage significance and carbon reductions.
Stronger encouragement to support innovative sustainable listed building refurbishment proposals.

Some councils, such as Kensington and Chelsea, are now allowing solar panels (PV panels) on listed buildings under permitted development.

Georgian Listed building in london with wood fibre insulation for breathability — Listed building wood fibre insulation

Sustainable refurbishment: an inclusive and proactive framework

Though well-intentioned, the draft HEAN’s recommendations could inadvertently slow down homeowners and professionals in their efforts to upgrade historic buildings. For the guidance to be fully effective, we believe it should offer:

A more detailed and clearer structure, better phrasing, and an emphasis on case-by-case considerations are needed to ensure the guidance is accessible and actionable.

Moreover, addressing the missing elements, such as the significance of an airtightness strategy, the importance of breathability in the external building envelope, and the critical role of appropriate ventilation and heating, is essential for encouraging a holistic approach to sustainable refurbishment.

A call from architects for radical change in listed buildings

As we reflect on the draft HEAN and its implications for sustainable refurbishment in the heritage sector, it’s clear that a more radical approach is necessary. Encouraging a fabric-first strategy, reducing limitations on Grade II Listed properties, and ensuring that local authorities have the flexibility to support sustainable adaptations are key steps towards aligning heritage conservation with urgent climate goals.

Architecture for London remains dedicated to sustainable refurbishment whilst also preserving our built heritage. As we navigate the complexities of sustainable refurbishment within the heritage sector, successful collaborations between architects, local authorities, and communities will be paramount.

Discover Architecture for London’s listed building projects. If you would like to discuss your project, please contact us.