Energy efficiency in the building sector: A combined middle-out and practice theory approach

The building sector in Europe is a major energy consumer. Professionals such as architects and different building engineers play a crucial role in the technology adoption process. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of how and why energy efficiency measures are implemented by professionals in building renovations. Three renovation projects of a municipality-owned housing company in a middle-sized town in Sweden were followed. Methods applied for this case study are semi-structured interviews, participant observations and document analysis. An analytical framework is developed, by combining a middle-out perspective with social practice theory (SPT) to enhance the understanding of how and why energy efficiency measures are adopted during the studied renovation meetings. The middle professionals meet during a renovation and form a temporary constellation. The meeting practice endures because it is repeatedly enacted. One conclusion from the studied processes is e.g. that the aggregated know-how of the professionals are seldom discussed, with the consequence that tacit knowledge is not challenge or re-evaluated. By changing a meeting practice hinders to energy efficiency can be removed. © 2020, Aalborg University press. All rights reserved.