Climate Change and Traditional Buildings

The reduction of carbon dioxide and equivalent emissions in Europe and other developed countries is now part of the mainstream political and social agenda, with particular focus on the performance of the built environment. Traditional and historic buildings are under significant pressure to reduce the carbon emissions associated with their operation, and Historic Scotland is taking a lead in the provision of guidance and advice for traditionally built structures of all types. Its programme of research has looked at the thermal performance of the traditional building envelope and how it can be improved by sensitive and appropriate intervention. Other related factors such as embodied energy, passive benefits and sustainability issues are presented together with an outline of the future research programme.

Figure 1 Late nineteenth century tenements in Edinburgh: 20% of Scotland’s population live in housing of this type. (Historic Scotland.)

Figure 2 Laboratory testing of windows at Glasgow Caledonian University: Historic Scotland window to the left, English Heritage window to the right. (Historic Scotland.)

Roger Curtis MSc, FSA (Scot) Head of Technical Research, Historic Scotland

Following time in the military, Roger joined the conservation contractor, Cumming & Co, in 1999 and managed a variety of sites and projects that ranged from tower house restoration to domestic refurbishment. During this period he undertook a Masters in Building Conservation at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. Roger joined Historic Scotland in 2006 and became Head of Technical Research in 2008. He heads up a small team concentrating on energy efficiency, sustainability and the performance of traditional materials.

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Donhead Publishing 2012