Public Funding for Sustainable Development Foundation

The project will develop a network for regulatory science in the context of retrofitting existing buildings to meet government net-zero targets. Our **Phase 1** 'discovery' project will establish a virtual network with expertise in regulatory science in the context of retrofitting upgrades to existing buildings needed for the UK to meet net-zero targets. The objective is to advance regulatory science to help policymakers understand, identify and assess different approaches to regulating new technologies, leading to the development of policies that might unlock adoption of innovation in scalable retrofitted products/processes for buildings. No similar network exists. The project will convene discussions and host workshops with potential network members in parallel with desk research. The aim will be to identify regulatory barriers, any opportunities for efficiency and clarity of process, existing pathways for innovations, options and consideration of secondary benefits (e.g. health and well-being) and ways in which research-based evidence can be generated/used to develop/adapt regulations that address customer/occupant needs whilst providing innovators with a clear route to meeting requirements. The project will be led by the **Building Research Establishment** (an RTO with a track record of science-based regulatory/policy support to government/standards bodies). Partners are the **Construction Products Association** (CPA; representing UK construction product manufacturers/suppliers; industry-wide innovation leadership and advising government on policy/regulation), the **National Retrofit Hub** (housing retrofit delivery), **Planet Mark** (sustainability certification) and the **National Energy Foundation**. We are supported by stakeholders with an interest in regulatory science, policy and innovation from across the built environment sector.

Historic buildings represents a considerable share of the European building stock (around 25%). They contribute to the identity and uniqueness of many cities and will only survive if they are maintained as a living space. To preserve a living built heritage, it is necessary to find energy renovation approaches and solutions compatible with conservation rules. This means that the historical and aesthetic value of these properties must be preserved while increasing the comfort of these living spaces, and minimizing their energy consumption and their environmental impact. The project aims to establish new knowledge for the development of sustainable and efficient solutions for historic buildings in order to bring cultural heritage to life and make it open, accessible, inclusive, resilient and low-emission. It is part of the pursuit of various projects involving members of the CALECHE network concerning, for example, bio-sourced renovation or "custom" PV integration. The studied solutions will cover all stages of operation (prevention, monitoring, maintenance) and renovation (setting up the operation, design, works).

The objective of the project is to improve both the whole life impact of demountable structures and to transfer elements of demountable design across to main stream construction projects to facilitate a step change in the recoverability of components for re-use at the end of a buildings life. This project brings together the skills and experience of ES Global, global leaders in demountable temporary structures; Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, a leading UK building and civil engineering company; Ecobond (Cymru) Ltd., a company providing consultancy and product development services across the low carbon and sustainable construction sectors and developers of the RE-Fab House concept and the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, a not for profit organisation committed to accelerating the transition to a high performance, healthy and low carbon built environment with unparalleled access to sustainable construction product manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.

The RE-Fab project is a building design concept which will allow the efficient construction of houses using sustainable regionally manufactured components. These houses will be efficient in use, adaptable through life, and to a range of styles including the differing building styles exhibited in different geographical areas. In addition they are designed for de-construction and re-use at end of life, allowing a range of ownership and cost options, and reducing future resource use by the building industry.