1.

0 Introduction of Refurbishment Work

1.1 Definition of Refurbishment
Refurbishment is a word to represent a process of cleaning, decorating,
repairing, painting and improving facilities and equipment of a building. Refer to
Riley, M & Cotgrave, A. (2005), refurbishment is to offer a new and updated
version of the original forms and extend the life span of existing building through
renovation of their basic structure. Quah (1988) said, refurbishment also involve
improvement, extension, renovation, modernization, rehabilitation, alteration of
an existing building, but no include daily cleaning work and maintenance. In
short, refurbishment is a way to improve building’s existing structure or its
facilities by changing internal areas, providing new facilities and equipment and
supplying decorative parts and components.

In this era of modernization, refurbishment building becomes one of the

most essential sectors. According to Aikivuori (1996), the factors that contribute
to refurbishment works are physical deterioration and obsolescence of the
property such as historic value, change in use and condition of building,
economic change and investment strategies. With the condition of increasing the
number of ageing buildings, refurbishment plays an integral role in construction
field as there are a lot of building obsolete, deteriorate and limited space for
development (Rahmat et al., 2003). Hence, many buildings are required to be
refurbished. Many historic buildings have been conserved and preserved over
the past few years and have been transformed into property for a restaurant,
hotel, bank, office or tourist spot.

According to McKim (2000), there is a lot of problem faced during

refurbishment project include limited space for reconstruction project, involve of
many participants, safety and health of building users, lack of technologies and
techniques and insufficient information of the building. Refurbishment works are
complicated, dangerous, and unexpected risk within construction industry (Egbu,
1994). These make the refurbishment works become more difficult. During the
planning process, lack of reliable and accurate information can make the designs
unsuitable for the buildings and require extra modification and costs during
construction stage. In order to succeed in refurbishment project, every
refurbishment process must be carried out carefully.

Building refurbishment give a chance to minimize energy consumption in

buildings, and give excellent opportunities to apply other sustainable
refurbishment principles. The advantages of refurbishment can be evaluated
from the aspect of social and environment. Refurbishment building can increase
productivity of the workers. Reason being, updated, comfortable and attractive
work environment can motivate and promote morale of the workers. For
environment aspects, refurbishment is an excellent opportunity to make your
building becomes more energy saving and energy efficiency by using eco-
friendly construction materials.

1.2 Concept of Change

The concept of refurbishment include change in performance, change in

function and change in capacity (Norhanim Zakaria ， 2020). Refurbishment
principles include improve the performance of an existing building by developing
the building’s equipment and facilities (Juan, Gao, & Wang, 2010). Low
performance of the building could not meet the requirement of present form
therefore refurbishment was carried out. Even though the building was well-
maintained but the level of performances cannot satisfy the propose use of
current demand. Thus, the building is considered to install new facilities in order
to suit the new requirements. For example, residential building in Bratislava had
undergone refurbished in 2015 include installation new heating system, heat
recovery ventilation system and external insulation of the basements, walls and
roof to make the building more energy-efficient and improve the quality life of
inhabitants.

Change in function of building means replace the role of the existing

building such as heritage buildings to another function (Kincaid, D. 2003).
Heritage buildings inclusive of many functions such as railway stations, factories
and officers and change their function to be apartments, restaurants, banks,
service officers and hotel. In order to solve the problem of heritage buildings is
continuously arise in many countries, the function of heritage buildings are
replaced to the other function that satisfy the requirement of new generations.
The good condition of structure and beneficial strategics of the building are
encouraged building to be refurbished. For example, 43 office building of
Warsaw’s Grzybowska at the intersection of Grzybowska and Waliców Street
was transformed into a hotel. This is because the high demand of
accommodation in Poland. This hotel can offer 220 rooms and occupied with ibis
Styles.

Change in capacity of the building is quite important to help organization

to satisfy their needs. Demolition or extension the size of the building is one of
the concept of refurbishment when new room or space that is added to an
existing buildings. Extension the space of the building is directly related to the
use of the existing building (Giebeler et al., 2012). Many factors that contributes
to change the capacity of building are population of building users increases,
limited space for activities and installation of new equipment and facilities.
Confirm the area that need to extend and make sure the design suit the area
before demolish. Aside from that, extension building should adhere to
requirements set by Building Regulations that make sure the building safe such
as structural integrity, energy efficiency, ventilation and fire safety. The buildings
that change their capacity like HDB in Singapore upgrade to condominium which
makes Singaporean’s life more comfortable and represent their status symbols.
 change
in
perform
ance

Concept
of change

change change
in in
function capacity

Figure 1.1 : Concept of change

1.3 Range of refurbishment

The range of refurbishment are minor, medium and major. Minor

refurbishment which means that reconstruction, rehabilitation or repair which
does not form significant renovation works. The main objective of minor
refurbishment is extend the life of building by up to 5 years and protect current
residents. Refer to Neylon, Bulsara, & Hill (2019), the element of minor
refurbishment include furniture, lighting, flooring, color and contrast. This type of
refurbishment involve redecoration and new floor finishes, installation or
upgrading of services and electric or sanitary fittings. Minor refurbishment is
small adjustment to building infrastructure, minimum changes to building facilities
and restricted to repair and renovation works. Minor refurbishment typically
conducted in occupied building which proper planning and phased working are
essential. Upgrade the lighting system such as install daylight-dimming ballasts
in office to minimize energy consumption is one of the example minor
refurbishment.

The aim of medium refurbishment is to serve the nowadays modern

lifestyle by removal or remodeling of the existing building’s structure, services
and facilities. According to Cabeza, Rincón, Vilariño, Pérez, & Castell (2014),
with the advance techniques and technologies, upgrade or replace the elements,
medium refurbishment become more successful and it requires about 4.5 years.
Medium refurbishment carried out at existing buildings need extra temporary
works, diversion of services and operate at non-working hours. The building that
experienced medium refurbishment such as power sub-station at Armenian
Street which was constructed in 1926 and to be converted into arts centre in
1991. It was the first old building was refurbished and transformed to art spaces
and rented to arts societies and organizations.

Major refurbishment is categorized as removal or renovates the existing

structure of the buildings which will give a significant impact on the building. In
purpose to extend the life of the building by up to 15 to 20 years, major
refurbishment involve the replacement and improvement the electrical, fire
protection system, mechanical, machinery. Undeniably, this stage of
refurbishment basically is too expensive (Caccavelli & Genre, 2000). The scope
work of major refurbishment include removal and infill the new services, finishes
and fittings to meet the modern lifestyle. For example, major refurbishment
carried out at Star Vista, the largest entertainment venue in Singapore where
replacement of major services and equipment conducted to fulfill the needs for
residents, working populations and students.

Range of
refurbishment

Minor Medium Major

refurbishment refurbishment refurbishment
 Figure 1.2 : Range of Refurbishment

1.4 Adaptation Rationale

1.4.1 Obsolescence and Redundancy

According to Cambridge Dictionary (2020), obsolescence brings a

meaning that old version product is no longer be useful while redundancy is
defined as a scenario where unnecessary things are present. Meaning that
refurbishment of reequipping, renewing and renovation are needed to fulfill the
financial or structural need of the building. For example, in order to have a more
enhanced technology in room, Pan Pacific Orchard hotel had undergone
renovation to replace the older style guest rooms and facilities that could not fulfill
the need of the modern technologies (Nicholas, 2012).

Figure 1.4.1.1
Studio Room of Pacific Hotel after
Refurbishment
Source:
https://www.businesstraveller.com/news
/2012/09/18/pan-pacific-orchard-
unveiled-after-refurbishment/
1.4.2 Life Cycle Phase

Every facility has their own life span. When the existing facility has reach
its end life, refurbishment is needed. For example, SMRT refurbishment was
carried out in 2005 to 2008 (SMRT Refurbishment, n.d). This refurbishment
involved a 20 years old trains. 660 of new panels with new type relays were used
to replace all the panels.

Figure 1.4.2.1

Electrical Relay Boards

Source:
https://www.morssmitt.com/solutions/pr
oject-references/smrt-singapore

1.4.3 Indoor Environment

Indoor environment problem such as water and gas leaking situation

should be prevented. Minor refurbishment is needed to overcome the problem as
water leakage will lead to wastage while gas leakage may lead to explosion.
Besides, light fitting problem as shown in Figure 1.4.3.1 should be corrected by
fixing LED light. Worker could not concentrate in a dimmer condition and hence
the efficiency will decrease drastically.

Figure 1.4.3.1

Office with Lightning Problem

Source:
https://spectrum.um.edu.my/pluginfile.p
hp/511866/mod_resource/content/1/refu
rbishment1.pdf

1.4.4 Deterioration

According to Cambridge Dictionary (2020), deterioration is defined as

situation that transforming from good to bad or even worse. Hence, building
fabric needs remedial improvement as shown in Figure 1.4.4.1.
 Source:
Figure 1.4.4.1 https://spectrum.um.edu.my/pluginfile.p
hp/511866/mod_resource/content/1/refu
Renovation due to Deterioration rbishment1.pdf

1.4.5 Lacking in Performance

Meaning that components that used nowadays could not achieve the
current standard. For example, telecommunications should be upgraded to the
latest technology to ensure the efficiency of works. Hence, broadband and fiber
optic should be fixed in order to have high speed telecommunication ability.

Figure 1.4.5.1

Example of Broadband
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1pnVOAzgP-E

1.4.6 Statutory Control

 According to Law Insider (n.d), statutory control is defined as authority
imposed by provision that contained in or having impact under an Act. Meaning
that due to the change in safety or healthy regulations, refurbishment is needed.

1.4.7 Grants

According to Cambridge Dictionary (2020), grant is defined as fund that

given by somebody such as government and organization for a unique objective.
Meaning that refurbishment is carry out as there is available money provided by
local authority or government to support the building be adapted to modernize
technology.

1.4.8 Sustainability

According to Mitchell (2020), sustainability means to meet the requirement

of the modern days without bargaining the talent of youngsters to match their
desire. Meaning that adaptation is needed by building that used lots of resources
such as air conditional. Refurbishment is required to lower down the consumption
of energy and be more eco-friendly.

1.5 Refurbishment VS New Building

 Refurbishment is better choice compared to buying a new building. The
comparison of both refurbishment and new building are shown in Table 1.5.1

Refurbishment New Building

Cost Saving
Time Saving
Structural frame and temporary
enclosure is provided by existing
structure
Conform to neighborhood
Fewer limitation by legal issue
Can fully satisfy the need of clients
No need to find new places for
construction
Expensive
Required more time
No structural frame and temporary
enclosure
Not conform to neighborhood
Lots of limitation by legal issue
Could not fully satisfy the need of
client
New places are required for
construction

Table 1.5.1 Refurbishment VS New Building

Reference
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Retrieved from https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/2012/09/18/pan-pacific-
orchard-unveiled-after-refurbishment/

SMRT Refurbishment (n.d). Retrieved from

https://www.morssmitt.com/solutions/project-references/smrt-singapore

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