As Britain races toward its Net Zero goals, attention is turning to one of the nation’s biggest environmental challenges – its ageing housing stock
To help tackle this, United Infrastructure has joined forces with the University of Salford on a pioneering retrofit project that will see a 1930s home meticulously rebuilt inside the university’s cutting-edge Energy House 2.0 facility.
This ambitious collaboration will test and refine practical ways to retrofit UK houses, transforming how the country modernises millions of older properties to make them warmer, more efficient, and ready for a low-carbon future.
The initiative also marks the first major project under Salford’s new Centre for Retrofit, dedicated to developing scalable, data-driven solutions for upgrading Britain’s homes.
Commenting on the landmark partnership, Professor William Swan, Director of Energy House Labs at the University of Salford, said: “The UK Government will be investing more than £13 billion in retrofit over the coming years.
“We must get this right if we are to address issues such as net zero and fuel poverty. We feel the development of a Centre for Retrofit at Salford builds on our track record of giving real data to householders, industry, and policymakers as to what works.
“Energy House 2.0 was designed to enable exactly this kind of collaboration. Working with United Infrastructure allows us to bring real-world construction expertise into a controlled research environment, helping us accelerate the development of retrofit strategies that are both practical and impactful.”
Why retrofitting matters for the UK’s future
With around 80% of the homes that will exist in 2050 already built, retrofitting represents the cornerstone of the UK’s path to Net Zero.
Many older homes leak heat and waste energy, driving up bills and emissions. By retrofitting these properties, the UK can reduce its carbon footprint, tackle fuel poverty, and preserve its historic architecture while adapting for the future.
Modernising old infrastructure is equally crucial. Updating traditional homes with innovative green technologies strengthens communities, boosts resilience, and supports a more sustainable economy – all while safeguarding the nation’s built heritage.
Energy House 2.0: Where innovation meets the elements
Energy House 2.0 is one of the most advanced research facilities of its kind, capable of simulating 95% of global weather conditions, from –23°C snowstorms to +51°C desert heat.
This enables scientists to rigorously test retrofit materials and systems under repeatable, extreme conditions, generating trusted data to guide the UK’s sustainable housing transition.
Recreating the past to build a sustainable future
At the heart of the project is the recreation of a typical 1930s British home within the high-tech Energy House 2.0 laboratory.
Researchers will trial a range of techniques to retrofit UK houses – from advanced insulation and low-carbon heating to smart energy management – assessing how they perform under real-life conditions.
The findings will provide vital evidence for policymakers, industry, and homeowners seeking effective ways to cut carbon emissions and improve comfort.
Keith Rimmer, Strategic Development Director at United Infrastructure, added: “This project is a vital step in tackling the retrofit challenge.
“By replicating a 1930s home within Energy House 2.0, we can generate robust data to inform scalable solutions for millions of similar homes across the UK.”
Building the future, one home at a time
As lead delivery partner, United Infrastructure will oversee the construction and integration of retrofit technologies, ensuring the project meets rigorous environmental and technical standards.
Supported by UKRI and industry partners, the initiative will accelerate innovation in sustainable housing.
Construction of the 1930s retrofit home is set to begin in the coming months, marking a vital step toward a cleaner, smarter, and more energy-efficient future for UK housing.
The post United Infrastructure and University of Salford unite to retrofit UK houses appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
