As Scotland moves towards its 2045 net zero targets, the need for large-scale retrofit of our existing buildings has never been more urgent. Despite this, many local authorities, social landlords and property owners still face a fundamental challenge: they don’t have access to the right data to plan, prioritise or deliver retrofit at scale
That’s where a new report from the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) comes in. Titled the National Existing Buildings Database, the report lays the groundwork for a centralised platform that would bring together the building data needed to retrofit at scale from across
Scotland.
Developed by Robert Gordon University, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) and CLF’s Data Working Group, the report assesses the current landscape of data held by building owners, identifying key gaps, opportunities and a clear path forward for creating the needed Existing Buildings Database.
“The database will give key stakeholders the information they need to plan and optimise this work,” said John McKinney, co-chair of the CLF Data Working Group and Build Scotland representative.
“Its collaborative approach will create a clear pipeline, allowing local contractors to upskill, manufacturers to supply the right systems and the Scottish economy to benefit through job creation and long-term opportunities.”
A platform for smarter retrofit
The report is the first step in a broader programme aimed at unifying and standardising building data across the country. While some datasets already exist – such as EPC registers and proprietary estate tools – this project is different. It doesn’t just catalogue what’s available; it identifies what useful data is missing, evaluates its reliability and outlines how it could be consolidated into a shared, open-source platform.
By integrating multiple data sources, the database would support evidence-based decision-making, reduce duplication of effort and offer a “common language” for collaboration across sectors. It would also help shift Scotland from small-scale pilot projects to area-based retrofit schemes by giving funders and suppliers a clear view of where demand exists.
“Achieving net zero in buildings is complex, requiring a deep understanding of both new builds and existing buildings,” said Dr Jonathan Scott, course leader of architectural technology at Robert Gordon University.
“Collaboration is key, not only to tackling supply chain and material challenges but also to building confidence in retrofit and shifting perceptions towards more sustainable homes.
“A central database or digital twin which brings together vital building data will help local authorities, landlords and the public make informed decisions about how and when to retrofit buildings. As a live learning platform, it will evolve over time, strengthening Scotland’s readiness for net zero.”
Challenges and opportunities
Stakeholder engagement sessions held during the research revealed strong support for the concept – but also some challenges that will need to be overcome. For example, data security, reliability and interoperability were highlighted as barriers. The report notes that public sector organisations often rely on proprietary platforms, which limits data sharing and leads to fragmented efforts.
The proposed platform would help address these issues by creating a trusted, secure environment that can adapt to real-time inputs. It would also eliminate the inefficiencies of
multiple agencies independently funding similar data collection exercises.
“Now we have validated the need and demand for an existing buildings database, the real work of delivering it in a way that solves challenges and unlocks value for the sector can begin,” said Gavin Johnston, impact manager at BE-ST.
“The work packages outline how we can move forward from here to operationalise and develop such a database, and turn it into a coordinated, coherent and accessible asset that will be key to decarbonising Scotland’s existing buildings successfully at scale.”
From vision to action
The report sets out 10 research work packages that will guide development over the coming years. These are designed to align with national and local initiatives, derisk investment and ensure each stage of development delivers value.
Longer-term, the database is expected to support technologies like digital twins and archetypal pattern books, allowing building owners to model retrofit strategies and test different scenarios before committing to costly upgrades.
Ultimately, a national existing buildings database could transform Scotland’s approach to retrofit. It would support better investment decisions, give the construction industry visibility into future pipelines and allow government to allocate funding more effectively.
Crucially, it would also enable continuous improvement as learning from projects
is fed back into the dataset.
With the framework now in place and support growing across sectors, the challenge ahead is to turn proof of concept into a working system. The project’s success will depend on industry and government buy-in and on data-rich organisations stepping up to contribute what they have.
The database is not the destination – but the beginning of a coordinated, scalable approach to retrofit that could help deliver Scotland’s net zero future.
Find out more about the Existing Buildings Database and report here.
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