The knockdown rebuild of old buildings is one of the market areas with a clear upward trend, especially in large cities, where there is not much land available for new construction. Civil construction is one of the most important sectors of the Sydney economy.
Its growth influences a whole set of businesses linked to the services and products that this sector needs. Consequently, construction is responsible for a large part of the environmental impact that a country can have. This impact is related to the extraction of raw materials, the production and transportation of materials, the construction itself, etc.
In this post Knock Down Rebuild Sydney want to explain the importance of the knockdown rebuild of old buildings, delving into the different structural elements and the impact it has on safety and the environment. And if you want to specialize in it, take a look at the Expert Master’s Degree in Building knockdown rebuild and expand your knowledge in the architecture sector.
Why is the knockdown rebuild of old buildings necessary?
Knockdown rebuild processes, in addition to being great allies of environmental sustainability, also have to meet certain functional requirements. Their need is justified by several criteria:
- Adapt the building to new uses.
- Preservation of the historical heritage of the city.
- Improving the performance of buildings, in terms of comfort, energy efficiency and water consumption.
In addition, it can also be carried out motivated by other constructive solutions, which are duly detailed and justified, such as:
- The impact of the use or location of existing infrastructure on the environment.
- Impact on the urban landscape.
- Problems of housing deficit and environmental sustainability.
- It is more economical or efficient than knockdown rebuild solutions.
In situations of economic instability in the country or region, the interest in preserving the facilities is quite recurrent. The reason is what we have already indicated, the cost of the improvements and their respective impacts on the environment is less than that produced by knockdown rebuild from scratch.
Another point to highlight are the legal issues that heritage organizations demand. These organizations want to preserve the historical and cultural aspects that old buildings possess.
What parts of buildings can be knockdown rebuild?
The knockdown rebuild of old buildings has multiple aspects taking into account the techniques to be used and the supply of materials. In addition, the following equation must be taken into account: local construction culture, inclusion of the facility in the historical heritage and the knockdown rebuild method.
In any case, do not forget that the actions must be justified. These can be aimed at improving aspects such as energy efficiency, accessibility, etc.
Steps and aspects that can be improved
1. Insulation and sealing. Both the materials and the installation method to be used must be considered respecting the parameters of the local climate. An important point to deal with here is the roof, since this is where the greatest loss of energy in a building occurs. The more complex the design of it, the more difficult it will be to drain rainwater. So it would be better to project a rapid and continuous flow of moisture, avoiding its accumulation.
2. Foundation structures, where their durability is a critical element. Excessive water and soil moisture are factors that lead to recurring structural and maintenance problems. The protection of the building, through an internal and external waterproofing system, can prolong its useful life.
3. The walls and floors of the building will be knockdown rebuild based on factors such as the type of material that can be used and its suitability for the city’s climate. There is a wide range of materials to improve the efficiency of these structures. These range from simple wooden panels to highly efficient systems, such as the Structural Insulating Panel (SIP).
Each system has unique characteristics of durability, energy efficiency and, of course, cost. It is the responsibility of the professionals involved in the knockdown rebuild to identify the needs of the building in order to choose the best material.
4. The choice of adequate lighting is a relevant factor when planning the electrical system of a knockdown rebuild building. Professionals must know how to take advantage of external light, as much as possible, and installing efficient equipment will reduce the electricity bill. All this taking into account that the facade cannot be touched, that is, it is forbidden to open windows or make existing ones larger.
What to take into account in the knockdown rebuild of old buildings?
The powers to knockdown rebuild old buildings are municipal, that is, you have to request the necessary permits from the town hall where you are. Each one has established rates and ask for different documentation, yes, based on state regulations. This means that, although there are differences between them, they will have many similarities.
As a general rule, the reforms are divided into minor and major works. The former are simpler and do not require a license, since neither an engineer nor an architect will intervene. In the case of major works, the supervision of these professionals is necessary.
In these cases you will need the engineer or architect to write a project and normally you will also have to hire a quantity surveyor or technical architect. This will be in charge of directing the work and doing the pertinent health and safety study. Major works are those that involve the reform of an element of the building’s structure (such as a beam, a floor, a ceiling…)
What is achieved in the knockdown rebuild of old buildings?
As we have indicated before, the reasons that lead to knockdown rebuild an old building can be multiple. From improving its environmental impact, to carrying out improvement works, with respect to its accessibility or energy efficiency.
Other times, these works are related to safety, because they have structures that are likely to collapse or because their interior is not in healthy conditions. The historical heritage that some have means that knockdown rebuild requires special licenses and a detailed study of their situation.
In short, the knockdown rebuild of old buildings is often necessary for safety, environmental or structural issues. Its historical value means that the knockdown rebuild is subject to a detailed project to improve aspects of viability and habitability. The roof, the pillars and the floor are elements that, with the right materials, can maintain these buildings for many years to come.
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