Applying a retrofit and low-carbon technology archetype approach to buildings in Scotland

During August, September and November 2023, three workshops were organised to discuss the coordinated delivery of the archetype approach in Scottish domestic, non-domestic and historic buildings. It considered the challenges in the rollout of retrofit energy efficiency interventions and the use of low-carbon heating. A series of case studies and talks discussed issues around energy transmission and distribution, the retrofit skills gap, the importance of data retrieval, testing and existing case studies. Discussions surfaced around
the opportunities of digital tools and monitoring equipment, fabric-first approaches with a technology-balanced approach to achieve a balanced approach of good energy efficiency, low-carbon heat, occupant thermal comfort, and sharing energy between other building types and owners.

Each workshop concluded with many actions and recommendations, however, the following 3 should be prioritised:
1. Implement a robust system of coded archetypes for Scottish buildings that
considers their historical context and condition. A similar approach is needed to
select an appropriate low-carbon heating technology aligning with Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and Heat Network Zone designation areas.
2. Create publicly accessible pattern books and guides based on the archetypes
providing “evidence-based tested retrofit solutions” considering different alternatives and existing conditions and occupancy types.
3. Integrate the archetype approach to a UK national building database which can host a repository of all building types used to track the condition of buildings, and identify typologies, known risks, occupancy and energy efficiency levels that align with net zero targets.