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  3. Section 3: Demand, Develop, Deploy framework

Section 3: Demand, Develop, Deploy framework

We’ve been rethinking how retrofit is delivered to tackle the sector’s biggest barriers including spiralling costs, resident dropouts and disappointing outcomes.

Transforming retrofit

We’ve used the Construction Innovation Hub’s Demand > Develop > Deploy framework to rethink how retrofit is delivered – transforming it from a fragmented ‘cottage industry’ into something genuinely scalable, structured, and repeatable.

A new model for delivering retrofit

The Demand > Develop > Deploy section of the rulebook outlines Transform-ER’s new approach to retrofit – moving from the current fragmented and highly linear process towards an iterative, systemic approach.

From current state to future state

Throughout this section, we will be referring to the current state of the retrofit industry, as well as what we have identified as the ‘ideal future state’. These are not absolutes and we welcome feedback on our ideas, questions and proposals.

Demand

Identifying, aggregating and assessing pipelines of demand

  • Archetype definition

    Archetype-led retrofit can help identify net-zero retrofit pathways for pipelines of similar homes – unlocking scale and quality. We outline current challenges and what an ideal future state could look like

  • Current pipeline requirements ​

    Creating pipelines of homes is key to deploying retrofit at scale. What are the current requirements and how can these be segmented by archetype?

  • Energy condition assessments

    Energy condition assessments are a detailed evaluation of a dwelling’s energy performance. This section outlines the current state of Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and what an ideal future state of assessments could look like.

  • Portfolio surveys

    There are currently significant challenges in building useful data sets for UK housing stock. Advanced technologies and methods of data capture provide the opportunity to create better data for better projects.

Develop

Strategy, design and planning for kits-of-parts

  • Retrofit market and current product capability

    How can we overcome current barriers to move to a modular, interoperable and performance-verified retrofit product ecosystem?

  • Product testing & certification

    Retrofit product testing and certification must balance safety and innovation. What systems and processes could support an ideal future state?

  • Tolerances

    How can we tackle retrofit’s tolerancing challenges and find opportunities for achieving industrialised retrofit at scale through modern manufacturing practices?

  • Product development

    A Manufacturing-Led approach to retrofit along with open collaboration and fail-fast sandbox testing would help accelerate high-quality products entering the market.

  • Installer accreditation and verification

    Explore the accreditation and verification of products and organisations, specifically focusing on product developers and manufacturers for Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs), including installers of EEMs and accredited test houses.

Deploy

Adapting designs, finding finance and nurturing effective delivery

  • Packaged retrofit

    Explore the limitations of today’s fragmented retrofit market and discover our alternative model for packaged retrofit – integrating standardised kits-of-parts, structured information, aligned contracting, finance, and insurance into repeatable, outcome-focused packages.

  • Rule logic tree of archetypes for onsite installation

    Explore the use of Rule Logic Trees to simplify and standardise onsite installation of retrofit measures – focusing on how retrofit can be easier to deliver and get involved in for tradespeople.

  • Project risk, finance and insurance

    We examine financial, risk, and insurance challenges that currently constrain retrofit at scale, and argue that a shift towards standardised, packaged whole-house solutions delivered across portfolios is required.

  • Product, installation and project performance

    How can we overcome shortcomings in product, installation, and project performance measurement and move towards a future state which is streamlined, outcome-focused, and value-driven?

  • Completion assessment 

    Pos-retrofit performance is rarely measured, particularly outside publicly funded schemes. We propose a shift towards stronger post-installation assessment standards to bridge the gap between theoretical and actual retrofit performance.

  • Dwelling system level certification ​

    Current certification processes are poorly suited to integrated, dwelling-level solutions. Industry-agreed criteria, defined certification hierarchies, and a clear framework to enable consistent, system-level certification of interoperable retrofit solutions would better suit large-scale delivery.

  • Logistics for site delivery and installation

    Explore common onsite snags and issues when installing retrofit measures and the practical steps to take to improve efficiencies.

  • Culture, values and behaviour

    For retrofit to scale with the quality, pace and consistency required, a shift in culture, values and behaviour is essential.

  • Retrofit design process

    An assessment of how retrofit design is currently managed, the workflows involved, and the bottlenecks in the process – and the potential opportunities to streamline the process using a Manufacturing-Led approach and digital tools.

  • Cost modelling

    What does cost modelling for retrofit at scale look like? We focus on the upfront costs for installation of retrofit measures, covering the big challenges of scope creep and outlining why standardisation can make the process easier.

  • Portfolio management

    What are the methods currently used to build and manage data sets for groups of properties to enable the appropriate selection of retrofit measures to be applied to a property portfolio? How could this be improved to achieve an ideal future state?

  • Integrated approach to retrofit

    An integrated approach to retrofit – a more coordinated, whole-system model – could address the structural inefficiencies currently limiting the scale, quality, and impact of residential retrofit in the UK.

  • Systems thinking

    Dive deep into the relationship between systems thinking and systems engineering – and their relevance to the UK retrofit challenge.

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Archetype definition