Climate-adaptive restoration
24 November 2025
MAKING HERITAGE FUTURE-PROOF
Climate change is becoming much more noticeable. Extreme rainfall, prolonged heatwaves, and periods of drought are causing increasing disruption and damage. Houses, stores, and monuments are flooded after heavy rainfall, while heatwaves make urban areas uncomfortably hot. These developments not only affect our living environment, but also the preservation of our historic buildings. Restoration can therefore no longer be viewed separately from the need to adapt to a changing climate. Climate-adaptive restoration is a way of making our heritage future-proof.
Until now, climate change has mainly been combated with technical solutions: closing windows, installing extra cooling or sun blinds, and hoping that the water board will solve the flooding problem. But this approach does not address the root of the problem. The outdoor space and the immediate surroundings of buildings play a crucial role in regulating temperature, water, and quality of life. By improving outdoor conditions, we can live and work more comfortably and healthily indoors.
GREENING AS CLIMATE ADAPTATION
An important starting point for climate adaptation is greening. Trees, shrubs, and plants not only provide cooling through evaporation, but also help to collect water and infiltrate it into the soil. In addition, they reduce the warming of the environment and improve air quality. By using semi-paving instead of fully paved surfaces, rainwater has a better chance of seeping into the soil. This creates a more robust water system that is better able to withstand peak rainfall.
The design of the urban environment also plays a major role. Cars still often determine the layout of our cities and towns, even though the need to travel everywhere by car is becoming less and less important. Investments in good public transport and cycle routes free up space for more greenery and shade. This not only creates a more pleasant outdoor space, but also reduces the heating of buildings. Shade lowers the perceived temperature and reduces solar radiation, while light, reflective materials help to reflect solar radiation. Figures show that urban areas have an average reflectivity factor of only 5%, compared to 20% in rural areas. We can therefore gain a lot by using materials consciously.
MORE THAN A TECHNICAL SOLUTION
A climate-adaptive outdoor space is also much more than a technical solution: it is also a social and ecological opportunity. Green spaces invite people to meet and spend time together, and are the ultimate place for children to play. They provide habitat for birds, insects, and other animals, and contribute to biodiversity. Water is no longer seen as a problem, but as part of a vibrant ecosystem.
Although many councils now require climate adaptation measures for new construction projects, this is often not the case for restoration projects. This is unjustified, as monuments are also located in the same city or village and therefore face the same challenges. Climate adaptation in restoration is not only necessary to limit damage and nuisance, but also to preserve the building. After all, heat, moisture, and flooding can cause significant damage to historic materials and structures.
DESIGNING WITH THE USER
Broekbakema likes to design for and with users. For example, I recently co-wrote a Program of Requirements for a monument. During our conversations, the client suddenly realized that there are many more possibilities in terms of climate adaptation and nature inclusivity than initially thought. What was previously seen as a complicated task turned out to be an inspiring opportunity for innovation.
CONNECTION WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD
During our brainstorming sessions, we came up with even more ideas. For example, we looked into using biobased insulation materials that can be harvested locally, which not only reduces our ecological footprint but also strengthens our connection with the region. A plan was also developed to set up a knowledge center within the project, where the insights and experiences gained could be shared with other parties carrying out similar restorations. This would give the project a broader impact: it would become a learning environment in which heritage, sustainability, and innovation reinforce each other.
And suddenly it all comes to life. Not only does the roof start to buzz, but so do people’s minds. The possibilities become tangible when you embrace this. Because if the roof heats up less quickly, we can also reduce the cooling inside. If the roof retains more water for longer, the basement will no longer flood during a peak rainfall. And in terms of costs, this investment actually saves money in other areas.
This suddenly makes climate adaptation in restoration a great opportunity instead of just another rule or requirement for the project.
Architect directeur