Class Q and Redundant Infrastructure Conversions

Class Q and Redundant Infrastructure Conversions – Tailored Architecture

Convert your redundant infrastruture to energy-efficient homes.

Let’s discuss your project today.

The most sustainable building is the one that already exists.

Redevelopment through demolition and replacement of existing buildings is not a sustainable solution due to the high wastage of embodied carbon. A conversion approach is the best way to maximise housing while retaining the already expended embodied carbon within an existing building.

Redundant infrastructure is a prime example of architectural conversions which produce high-quality low-energy housing with careful design and thought. Creating healthy and exciting places to live.

Conversion possibilities

Designing and obtaining planning permission for the conversion of existing infrastructure buildings to residential dwellings is an effective way to unlock the potential of unused buildings. Project examples are outlined below.

Agricultural buildings to residential under permitted development – Class Q conversions. Including; redundant farmyards, dutch barns, potato stores, grain stores, timber framed barns, cow sheds, piggeries, nissan huts, and steel and concrete framed agricultural sheds.
Conversion of redundant farming buildings to residential in open countryside under Local Authority Planning policy.
Conversion of listed and curtilage-listed agricultural barns to residential.
Office buildings to residential under permitted development – Class O conversions. Including town centre above shop conversions to apartments.
Utility infrastructure to residential dwellings. Including, water treatment station, and inland drainage water pumping stations.

How we use low-energy and Passive House principles to convert reducndant infrastructure?

Sustainability is the bedrock of Tailored Architecture’s design, construction, and development process.

We have adopted these six design principles, derived from Passive House, in every project we undertake to deliver energy-efficient and light-touch environmental homes.

Building form

Building form is always derived directly from the site context, with considerations taken to minimise the overall surface area of the thermal envelope. A dense and efficient form and massing reduces the heat loss minimising the required heat demand and emissions.

Solar access

Solar gains are considered to maximise the winter warmth available reducing overall heat demand. Careful design of window openings and potential solar shading in the form of sliding screens and horizontal canopies will be deployed to reduce risks of overheating in summer. Natural ventilation will be use for summer time cooling avoiding the use of mechanical comfort cooling.

Fabric first

All buildings are designed with enhanced building fabric to lower the required heating demand, also coupled with airtightness to further reduce heat losses. This allows for a smaller heating plant to be installed reducing overall emissions.

Embodied carbon

Materials and construction methods where possible will be chosen to limit their embodied carbon emissions.

Low carbon heating systems and renewable technologies

Enhanced building fabric and careful inclusion of controlled solar access allows for the installation and operation of an low-carbon heating systems for example heat-pumps. This will reduce the overall heating impact of the proposed dwelling. Battery storage is to be considered to provide electrical storage reducing the impact of peak energy use.

Deconstruction and re-use

Consideration of the materials and construction methods used to allow for deconstruction and reuse in their current form. Reducing the disposal element of construction and energy intensive recycling processes.