The retrofit chasm: Why good intentions aren't delivering results

Billions of pounds in government funding are now flowing into retrofit. Pilot projects and demonstrators are showing what’s possible: dramatically lower bills, warmer homes, and reduced carbon emissions. And yet, scaling these successes remains elusive. Too often, what works in a pilot stalls when rolled out across an estate or region. This is the retrofit chasm.

The problem is not a lack of intent. Housing leaders are committed, funding exists, and supply chains are eager. But somewhere between assessment and delivery, design intent is lost. The PAS 2035 Retrofit Coordinator role was created to prevent this exact problem, acting as the glue between strategy, design, and on-site delivery. Instead, the role is frequently reduced to a compliance tick-box.

The result? Inconsistent works, residents losing faith, and retrofit reputations tarnished. Without design-led coordination, the golden thread of information breaks down, and retrofit becomes fragmented and unreliable.

To cross the retrofit chasm, housing associations must move from good intentions to consistent delivery. That means empowering designers and coordinators to embed PAS 2035 in practice: ensuring fabric-first sequencing, integrating digital assurance, and keeping residents at the centre of the process.

Retrofit by Design was created to deliver exactly this. We bring design-led leadership to retrofit programmes, ensuring the golden thread is protected and outcomes are delivered at scale. For housing leaders facing the chasm, we provide the bridge.

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