Experience from the UK and Europe demonstrates indisputably that dated, high-rise, multi-unit residential residential buildings reach the end of their useful life through a combination of:
- Falling demand for sub-standard accommodation
- Increasing heating energy costs becoming unaffordable
- Increasing maintenance costs of the deteriorating building fabric
This pattern of decline is proven and predictable – residential buildings will eventually become operationally uneconomic and thus will reach the end of their useful life. The most influential factor by far which directly affects all of these components of economic sustainability is the quality of the building envelope.
Overcladding is the provision of an entirely new building envelope, wrapped around and over the existing building to restrain and protect it, insulate it and modernise its appearance. Designed with expertise and applied correctly, the refurbished building will have an in-service appearance, performance and life expectancy equivalent to that of a newly constructed building. Rather than continuing to decline towards the end of their useful lives, towers are transformed creating highly desirable accommodation with increased occupancy levels, higher near-term rental income, extended building life securing long term revenue generation, annual energy costs are reduced by 70-80%, maintenance costs virtually eliminated and the asset value considerably improved. A design and build refurbishment project is delivered whilst the building remains occupied with minimal disruption to occupants and no loss of revenue to building owners.
