Bio-enhanced Surface Protection of Heritage Buildings in UK Island and Coastal Communities for Holistic Carbon Emissions Reduction
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hertfordshire
Department Name: School of Creative Arts
Abstract
As agreed with AHRC please see the Case for Support attachment for the full application information
Organisations
| Description | • The experimental product developed during this project offers solutions that can help mitigate the rising costs of maintenance for lime-surfaced buildings, both in public and private ownership. • The proposed approach relatively seamlessly integrates with existing conservation lime practice, minimising disruption and facilitating adoption. • The future product will be easy to supply to end-users, and the product instructions are straightforward, requiring minimal additional training. |
| Exploitation Route | Democratisation of Climate Action: • It offers a novel pathway for widespread public engagement in climate-friendly initiatives. Unlike solar panels, wind turbines, or electric vehicles, which often require significant investments and infrastructure changes, this product empowers everyday homeowners to participate in environmental action with minimal adaptation and potentially lower costs. This broadens the scope of climate action beyond traditional avenues and fosters grassroots engagement. |
| Sectors | Construction Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| Description | Potential Significance: This project possesses two key areas of potential significance: Revitalization of Heritage Structures and Sustainable Construction: • By utilizing novel bioscience solutions on and within pre-1919 buildings, the project presents a unique opportunity for research and impact in the realm of heritage structures. This approach opens doors for: o Preserving and re-engaging culturally significant buildings with their communities, revitalising them as hubs of activity and promoting cultural heritage awareness. o Exploring the integration of bioscience and sustainable technologies within existing building stock, offering a potentially scalable and adaptable model for the wider construction industry. This contributes to achieving environmental sustainability goals through the efficient utilisation of existing infrastructure and the reduction of embodied energy associated with new construction. Therefore, the significance of the project lies in its potential to democratise climate action and revitalise heritage structures while contributing to sustainable construction practices. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Construction,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | AHRC Design Accelerators |
| Amount | £51,818 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 08/2024 |