Gwynne Anthony 2020

ART506 Dissertation 2019. Anthony Gwynne . 41 Figure 13: Summary of guidance for historic buildings in Approved Document LB1 (Source: www.gov.wales/buildingregulations-approved-documents) . The above extract illustrates that the guidance provided by the Welsh Government for traditional and historic buildings is very limited, generic in nature and does not provide any practical advice for common situations. The energy efficient requirements of new works and works to existing buildings contained in Approved Document LB1 is driven by the European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Directive adopted by the UK Government in 2002 (Bick 2019) and summerised as U-values in Figure 14. A building elemental U-value is extremely important as there are certain standards that should be reached according to Building Regulations. The U-value is a sum of the thermal resistances of the layers that make up an entire building element, for example, the roof, walls and floors. It also includes adjustments for any fixings or air gaps. A U-value value is expressed in units of W/m²·K and is the ability of an element to transmit heat from a warm space to a cold space in a building, and vice versa. The lower the U-value, the better insulated the building element (www.kingspan.com) . 12.2.3 The detailed technical guidance on how to implement specific energy efficiency measures produced by English Heritage should be taken into account when determining appropriate energy performance standards for building work to existing dwellings. See list of available guidance documents at http://www. englishheritage.org.uk/professional/advice/advice-by-topic/climate-change/energy-efficiency/ 12.2.4 In general, new extensions to dwellings of historic and architectural interest should comply with the energy efficiency requirements: guidance on how to comply is set out in Section 2. The only exception would be where there is a need for the extension to be consistent with the character of the existing building. 12.2.5 Particular issues relating to work to dwellings of historic and architectural interest warrant sympathetic treatment and would benefit from further professional advice. These issues include: a. restoring the historic character of a building that has been subject to a previous inappropriate alteration, for example, replacement windows and doors; or b. rebuilding a former historic building, for example, following a fire or infilling a gap site in a terrace; or c. enabling the fabric of historic buildings to ‘breathe’ to control moisture and potential long-term deterioration. 12.2.6 When assessing dwellings of historic and architectural interest where special consideration may apply, it is important that the Building Control Body takes into account the advice of the local authority’s conservation officer, particularly where the work requires planning permission and/or listed building consent.