Sustaining rehabilitation: A call to strengthen the building rehabilitation knowledge base

This paper addresses the need for an increased attention, to building rehabilitation in architecture and building science and education. In the past decades, rehabilitation is growing as a topic in building practice and is gaining policy support. In our perception the scientific field for building rehabilitation is still small and fragmented, especially if we compare it to the level of attention that is paid to design and construction of new buildings.
If we compare the number of tools available for new construction, with the ones available for rehabilitation work there is a clear gap. In the field of rehabilitation there are many worthwhile research initiatives, tuning of these individual actions is desirable. A stronger formalisation of knowledge in the field of building rehabilitation is necessary to raise awareness and support professionals, with tools and knowledge, to develop and execute sustainable rehabilitation plans for our existing building stock.