The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
In this episode, we speak to ACAN steering group coordinator Sara Edmonds who is jumpstarting widespread conversations around domestic retrofit.
Reaching beyond the bounds of architecture, Studio seARCH co-founder and Passivhaus designer Sara Edmonds is engaged in inclusive conversations across the domestic retrofit space from the political to the practical, establishing ties with the New Economics Foundation and Insulate Britain.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Sara describes what it will take to kickstart greater uptake of domestic retrofit in London and beyond: from DIY upskilling to empowering householders to ensure that existing heating systems operate at maximum efficiency to lessons from Ireland’s national retrofitting scheme launched in February.
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About Sara Edmonds
As one of the founding members of ACAN, Sara has been an active member of the Existing Buildings group and co-founded ACAN’s Households Declare campaign presented at COP 26. She channels her energy to drive systemic change in the built environment through collaboration and bottom-up strategies.
Sara recently co-founded the Home Energy Action Lab (HEAL), a test bed for community-based domestic retrofit services in Hackney. She co-hosts the Zero Ambitions podcast.
Protesting outside the Treasury
Show notes: Projects and resources mentioned in this episode
Great Homes Upgrade parliamentary action
ACAN Retrofit with Natural Materials
ACAN Parliamentary action
John Christopher Zero Carbon House
Civic Square, Birmingham
Handing a letter to Rishi Sunak to a civil servant (face blurred for privacy reasons) - Festival of Retrofit Protest, 8 March 2022. Source: Joe Giddings
Ireland’s National Retrofitting Scheme
Nathan Gambling's Beta Teach platform for better heating systems
LETI Retrofit Guide
London Councils Retrofit London Housing Action Plan
Credits
Climate Champions is produced in association with ACAN, the Architects’ Climate Action Network
Podcast produced and edited by Concept Culture
Music: Edmilson do Pífano, Forró de dois Amigos. Interpretation: Felipe Tanaka e banda Balaio de Baião