The Biggar Youth Project provides young people in the South Lanarkshire town with a place to socialise. The building is used by this voluntary organisation and dates back to the late 1800s, and was formerly part of a much larger livestock auction market.

With poor insulation and limited natural light, the occupants found the building to be cold and draughty in winter, yet hot and stuffy in summer, with soaring energy bills becoming an increasing problem.

Retrofit refurbishment works were commissioned to improve the building’s energy efficiency and sustainability.

The Biggar Youth Project appointed Carbon Futures to undertake an operational analysis of the existing building to ascertain a baseline performance. We also assessed the viability of a number of proposed energy improvement options that could be considered by the client and team. Based on the findings of our research, we made our final recommendations to the project team.

The actual in-use performance of the facility was simulated using Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) and data from historic energy bills. Numerous improvement options were assessed within the modelling to understand impact and value for money.

An analysis was conducted based on the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Technical Memorandum 54 (TM54) methodology to accurately predict the operational energy performance of the building, using Digital Twin modelling software. The outcome of Carbon Futures’ analysis informed the final design which included enhanced wall, floor and roof insulation, Solar PV panels, Air source heat pump, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), new double-glazed windows and roof lights and a lobby area to reduce draughts. The building is expected to achieve an EPC A Rating.

______ Awards

2025 Architects Journal Awards: Highly Commended, (Refurbishments up to £10m Category)