I would suggest using US Green Building Council's LEED rating system to rate the current building as is.  This way, you may be able to get a score on the current building [as compared to LEED's Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels] and then check whether there are any particular areas where there is a potential for green retrofitting. 

Dear Santanam,

Thanks for your input. I think the LEED rating system is ok, but having a low LEED rating does not necessarily mean that the building is attractive for retrofitting. For example, if the building is near the end of its lifetime retrofitting would not be so feasible.

Hello Karim, this is an interesting concept. I do not know of an index but I'm currently working on what to consider when carrying out a survey to assess the condition of a building prior to intervention works. Although I think my building type of interest (UK solid-bricked wall residential) may be too limiting for your work, I'd be very interested to hear more about your work.

Hello Karim,

We recently published an article identifying building attributes that are important to tenants (linked below).

The follow up papers surveyed tenants on what attributes are important in office.  It will soon be up at Journal of Real Estate Research and here.  Another paper analyzing the rent rolls of a series of building on those attributes is R&R at a journal and will be up in a while.

They may help identify what attributes tenants feel are important.

Hopefully our research can help and feel free to email more specific questions.

Article Green Office Buildings: A Qualitative Exploration of Green O...

Hi Karim--  I have a small construction business in the U S pacific north west. My specialty is small residential remodels and sunspaces for heating and as thermal buffers. Most any building can benefit from some greening, some provide better opportunitys than others.

   Some of the factors I look at in a project are

1  Location-- Is the building well placed for the intended use--does it have solar potential--does this location put it at risk from flood, earthquake, severe storms or in the path of future city or infrastructure expansion?

2 Is the existing structure close to being a good configuration for the intended use?

3 Does the structure fit the climate ?---any structure can be improved. you want one that won't reqire expensive heroic modifications to lower the energy profile.

4 What are the sites toxic risks? Lead paint and asbestos can add to the expense of a project quickly.

5 what is the on site recycling potential? Can existing woodwork be used in the new space, broken concrete to be used in retaining walls or landscape. Obsolete windows for a new sunspace. What resources are readily available?

6 Is good affordable labor available?

7 Can local government be worked with?

      This is my starter list. Climate is of course a huge factor in what makes the best candidate. Remember any project can be made green. I try to leave each job with a lower energy profile.      Thanks

Do try BRE as they have a recent form of BREEAM which will help you.

Attending to the energy aspects, I developed an energy efficiency indicator for the housing stock of periferic neighbourhoods which is published in spanish. Unfortunately it is not translated to english but since you can read italian and french you will be able to understand. If you need any comments I would be pleased to help you.

Article Vulnerabilidad energética asociada a la edificación. Estudio...

Dear Karim,

Yes there are lot of green rating system. Almost every country has one now. I am an certified Indian Green Building Council  accredited professional in India. As far as my experience goes I am not at all in support of these all. In place of simplifying and making things straight so that common people can understand, these guidelines have lot of alternate ways to bypass stringent measures and get high points. If you read them carefully you will find lot of business friendly rules.( eg Building material brought from any part of world if processed within 500km radius of the project site then it is termed green.) They will make you spent resources unnecessary and then award you point for saving them.

I have seen buildings that are constructed in National capital region of India with façade made up of Glass getting gold and platinum ration by LEED and IGBC. This looks very funny as National capital region of India falls in composite climate with summer max tem reaching 45deg Celsius.

Instead I have found vernacular architecture and traditional architecture most green. But the important issue is to make them of renovate them to support modern lifestyle. This is a big challenge and needs great deal of study because every county has different social and cultural setup.

If you are interested you can read my publications about vernacular architecture.

Regards,

Manoj

Dear Karim

Try BRE they now have an additional BREEAM assessment to cover retrofit.

best

derek 

Dear Karim

Try BRE they now have an additional BREEAM assessment to cover retrofit.

best

derek 

Dear Karim

Try BRE they now have an additional BREEAM assessment to cover retrofit.

best

derek