Centre for sustainable building refurbishment set to open in West Midlands

The aim of CoRE is to provide a 'live demonstration’ of retrofitting. The centre will be located in a disused pottery factory in the West Midlands town of Stoke-on-Trent, chosen partly because of its dilapidated state. BRE said the buildings’ "severe state of disrepair" made them ideally suited as a "living demonstrator". As well as housing building technology R&D facilities, the centre will profile and showcase sustainable refurbishment products, support businesses to secure new opportunities from retrofitting and deliver refurbishment skills and training solutions.

"We have a lack of skilled workers in the retrofit industry," said Gavin Summerson, a BRE retrofit project manager. "The Centre for Refurbishment Excellence will specifically relate to retrofitting and refurbishment and address any skills shortages in these areas."

As much as 20 per cent of Britain’s housing stock is more than 100 years old and more than 80 per cent of today’s homes will still be standing in 40 years time, which BRE says makes the scale of the refurbishment opportunity in the UK "significant".  

Stoke-on-Trent was chosen as the location for CoRE because of the high proportion of homes classified as 'non-decent’ and a high number of older residential buildings.

As part of the RHR project, BRE is also currently transforming a disused Victorian stable block next to BRE's Innovation Park in Watford into three energy efficient terrace homes. When completed, the 'Victorian Terrace’ will house an information and training centre where visitors will be able to learn about best practice refurbishment including the latest processes, materials and technological advances. Traditional crafts and skills will also be taught in the centre's workshops.

BRE partners on the RHR include regional development agency EEDA, architects and consultants PRP, the leading refurbishment company Wates Living Space, and the Prince's Foundation.