Appetite for Disruption
We’re all familiar with the Time | Cost | Quality triangle, key to the selection of any construction procurement route. You want things done quickly, cheaply and to the highest standard. But in one of life’s many disappointments, you can only ever achieve two out of these three outcomes. We can console ourselves however, that for the most part, two out of three ain’t bad.
In retrofit, we’re faced with a similar dilemma where you must weigh up your priorities, because you simply can’t have it all. Unlike the other famous ‘Choices’ – I’m looking at you Hobson’s & Sophie’s – in retrofit, there are varied positive outcomes to aspire for, it’s just about how you get there.
When assessing retrofit options for my clients I use impact (primarily related to comfort), carbon reduction, cost and disruption as the four key yardsticks. If you expect a noticeable improvement in comfort matched by high carbon savings, low cost and low disruption, you’ll generally be disappointed. Three out of four is possible with some measures, but two can also equal a good result.
This is an article I wrote for Detail Library and can be read in full here:
