Retrofitting Buildings for Climate Resilience in the UK : A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Climate‐resilient design has become a critical principle in architecture, leveraging local environmental conditions to maintain comfortable indoor climates while minimising energy consumption. However, increasing climate variability and the growing frequency of extreme weather events pose significant challenges to the built environment, particularly in regions like the UK, where overheating risks are rising. This study investigated the thermal resilience of domestic and non‐domestic buildings, focusing on overheating risks and the effectiveness of retrofit strategies under current and future climatic conditions. While substantial research addresses climate change mitigation through energy efficiency, there is limited focus on adaptation strategies, particularly regarding overheating. Extreme heat events are projected to intensify under climate change, threatening the thermal comfort of UK buildings designed for milder climates. In this study, the authors explored the balance between reducing operational carbon emissions and mitigating overheating risks, examining the lifecycle emissions of retrofit strategies in the context of future climate scenarios. A key research gap identified is the limited consideration of cooling demand and carbon emissions in existing studies, particularly under decarbonised energy grids and evolving weather patterns. Empirical evidence demonstrates that poorly integrated energy efficiency measures can exacerbate overheating risks. The findings highlight the importance of proactive design strategies that balance thermal comfort, energy performance, and carbon reduction across a building's lifespan.