https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0290
House Retrofits: Impacts of Sustainability Measures on Health
Samira Awwal1, Patricia Tzortzopoulos2, Leigh Fleming3 & Rakesh Mishra4
1Research Assistant, Department of Engineering & Technology, School of Computing & Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7771-15112Professor, Design and Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, [email protected] , https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8740-6753
3Reader, Department of Engineering & Technology, School of Computing & Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6962-8686
4Professor, Department of Engineering & Technology, School of Computing & Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1620-3238
Abstract
The UK faces an estimated demand for 345,000 new homes annually. Retrofitting the existing housing stock presents significant opportunities to mitigate housing shortages while addressing sustainability challenges. However, current retrofit initiatives have predominantly prioritised energy efficiency while neglecting health implications from retrofits. This paper examines the relationship between sustainable housing retrofits and health outcomes, exploring strategies to address these interrelated challenges. A literature review identifies links between health considerations in retrofits through the application of lean principles, particularly from a user value generation perspective. The paper highlights synergies between health, lifestyle, and technology factors and Lean. The findings indicate the need for robust data on the health impacts of housing retrofits, as well as participatory approaches that enable the prioritisation of needs of occupants. The evidence highlights the need for empirical research to develop solutions that integrate health considerations into retrofit policy and practice, ensuring that retrofits deliver benefits for both occupants’ well-being and environmental sustainability.
Keywords
Retrofit, health and well-being, smart home technology, lean
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Reference in APA 7th edition format:
Awwal, S., Tzortzopoulos, P., Fleming, L. & Mishra, R.. (2025). House Retrofits: Impacts of Sustainability Measures on Health. In Seppänen, O., Koskela, L., & Murata , K. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) (pp. 187–198). https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0290
Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:
Awwal, S., Tzortzopoulos, P., Fleming, L. & Mishra, R.. (2025). House Retrofits: Impacts of Sustainability Measures on Health. IGLC33. https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0290
Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.
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