unit 103- draft 2

​Repurposing of buildings and structures

​Change of use

Older buildings often play an important role in linking the modern era to historical

architectural character and cultural heritage. However, there are also sound

practical reasons for considering the repurposing of a building.

​As working and shopping methods change, the use of buildings need to adapt to be viable and meet the needs of the local communities. 

Other than for certain permitted changes of use and changes where both uses fall within the same use class, planning permission will be required for a change of use. Most external building work associated with a change of use is also likely to require planning permission. 

More information can be found at Change of use - Planning Portal - Wales 

​Farms are becoming larger and often corporate run. Large open-plan barns are being designed and built to be easily adaptable to changes in use throughout the seasons and for varied uses. This has resulted in a larger number of traditional barns and farm buildings becoming redundant. 

 

One way to avoid this is to convert these buildings into either houses, holiday lets, farm shops or small designer studios – whichever best meets the local market. 

 

​ Corner shops are often converted into houses as people move towards online shopping, supermarkets or using out of town retail parks.

​ Churches are regularly converted into luxury open-plan accommodation as the numbers in congregations fall. Well-completed conversions maintain the character and features of the existing building

​Large industrial warehouses, factories and commercial building are often prominent buildings in desirable locations with an ascetically pleasing façade.  These are mainly repurposed as apartments, but some conversions have other uses such as retail, commercial and leisure facilities.

​Modernisation and refurbishment

​Modernisation is adapting something to meet needs or habits. Examples in a modernised house would be the replacement of traditional items with fitted kitchens, double glazed windows, new doors, central heating, fitted bathrooms, electrical rewires, etc.

​Existing run-down properties are now being remodelled for modern living by local authorities or housing associations, encouraging people to return to traditional community-orientated town housing. These offer affordable rentable homes or can be homeowner-occupied.

​System upgrades 

​As part of a maintenance and refurbishment program of a house or workplace, system upgrades are an integral element in ensuring that the end user has what they require to live and work comfortably.  This is especially important to ensure that businesses remain viable, economically and financially. 

​Examples of upgrades include:​ 

fuel efficient boilers​ 
replacement energy sources (air, ground, wind, solar) ​ 
​full fibre optic internet connections​ 
​IT systems
​alarm and intercom systems. 

​Recycling and reuse 

​Recycling building materials whenever possible reduces the impact on natural resources – fewer trees cut down, fewer base materials being quarried or mined; all of this in turn reduces the carbon footprint as less processing, manufacturing, shipping and transporting all occur. 

Many items can be upcycled or repurposed bringing a designer, vintage-feel look to a property. 

Recycled materials can be used to recreate a traditional look – during heritage work or repairs to a traditional building, the use of recycled bricks and timber might be the only option that will produce the finish required. 

​Architectural salvage 

​Architectural salvage is the removal of decorative items from a property and can include doors, windows, panelling, decorative mouldings, ironmonger fittings, fireplaces, lintels, sills, stone flags, bricks, chimney pots, tiles and slates and other sought-after items. 

​These materials are highly valuable for repairing heritage properties and to developers looking to add period charm to a pub, restaurant, hotel etc.

​Aggregates

​Any masonry product that can not be recycled can be crushed into aggregate that is used in a range of products. Stone, slate, marble, granite, etc. can be used for decretive aggregates. Bricks and concrete can be crushed and used as hard core or as aggregate for concrete.

​Type 1 concrete is produced by crushed aggregate – recycling waste materials from construction and demolition projects. It is perfect for using in trench fills, backfills, oversite fills and as a granular sub base.

​Metals

​Because ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be re-melted and reformed into new products almost continuously, scrap/reclaimed metal is an ideal material for recycling – reducing both the depletion of natural resources and the carbon footprint from producing new metals.

The amount of energy saved using recycled metals compared to virgin are:

•      Steel 62–74%

•      Copper 87%

•      Zinc 63%

•      Lead 60%

​Maintaining buildings, structures and installed services  

​Unplanned maintenance 

Unplanned maintenance can best be described as a risky strategy. It involves adopting and using a reactive task-based method rather than a proactive one.​ 

 

The disadvantage of this method is that there is a greater risk of down time; materials and equipment not been available when required; costs can increase as more work may be required to replace damaged items or components than if they were serviced regularly; labour cost will also be higher as tasks will take longer; and the disturbance caused can affect the smooth running of a business as down time is increased. 

 

​Planned Maintenance

​Planned maintenance is the process where all maintenance and servicing are planned in advance with time allocated to specific tasks and resources, with stock ordered in preparation, i.e. for painting and decoration at regularly timed intervals.​ 

​ 

Service plans are often set up with external specialist contractors to service, for example, fire extinguishers, air conditioning systems, electrical testing and certification, gas safety (boiler and gas appliance services). 

​Maintenance Teams

​Most large companies employ a handy person or small facilities team ​ 
that carry out routine maintenance tasks, painting and decorating, non-structural repairs, changing lamps, replacing broken or defective locks ​ 
and fitments, etc. ​ 

 

Specialist contractors are generally used to complete larger projects, ​ 
such as:​ 

 

• roof repairs​ 

 

• structural repairs​ 

 

• repairs to plumbing, heating, electric and gas systems – where certification is required to undertake the tasks and sign them off as 

 

​The purpose of servicing and maintenance

​Benefits to carrying out regular maintenance to a building include the following:​ 

 

• Ensures that the security and integrity of the building is maintained. 

 ​ 

• Extends the life span of the building.​ 

 

• Keeps the building water tight.​ 

 

• Maintains the fabric and aesthetics of both the internal and external appearance of the building.​ 

 

• Reduce running costs. ​ 

 

• Provides a safe and pleasant environment for the occupants. 

 

​Benefits of carrying out regular maintenances to appliances and systems:​ 

 

• Maintains the safety of appliances preventing the release of carbon monoxide fumes, gas leaks and the chance of electrocution.​ 

 

• Telecommunications and alarm systems are less likely to crash. 

 

• Reduces the running costs as a regularly serviced appliance is more fuel efficient. 

 

• A regularly serviced appliance is more reliable, resulting in less down time. 

  

​Understanding repurposing of buildings and structures 

​in groups look at the difference between Traditional and New Marketing Methods.


Make a list of the Traditional methods and New methods.


Which way is the best form of Marketing.

​The five levels of social media engagement 

​Business Types  

​Companies vary in size from large businesses to self employed sole traders. 

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are usually defined as those with fewer than 250 employees; however, most employ fewer than 10. 

Large companies are those that employ more than  250 employees. 

The impact of successful marketing on business

To succeed in business, you need to build and maintain a reputation for delivering a professional, high-quality and reliable product or service.  

With this in place and a successful marketing strategy, your business will be able to expand and grow. This brings new considerations, including:         

employing the right personnel that will work to the standards and values of your business  

diversifying into new or affiliated areas, to offer a complete contract package        

investing in IT systems to increase efficiency and keep records. 
           

With success comes rewards for the team and any external investors  
or shareholders.