Housing stock is observed to be associated with high carbon emissions, high fuel poverty and low comfort levels in the UK. Retrofitting the housing stock is one of the best solutions to address these problems. This paper directly corresponds with human and planetary health in terms of climate change, human health and mental health by addressing the challenges of housing retrofit at scale. Retrofitting houses can also contribute to social equity, reduced use of planetary resources and better financial and physical comfort. Despite the availability of the right technology, government grants and the potential to acquire supply chain and skilled labour, the progress of retrofit is extremely poor. Importantly, the UK is off track to achieve net zero by 2050, and the housing stock contributes 18.72% of the total emissions. The problem is further exacerbated by the 30.4 million units of housing stock. Robust strategies are required to retrofit the housing stock at scale. The study uses a qualitative modelling method under the diffusion of innovations theory to formulate a retrofit-at-scale strategy for the UK. Findings recommend focusing on skill development, show homes, research and innovation, supply chain development, business models, government grants and regulatory tools in a trajectory from 2025 to 2050. The proposed strategy is aligned with the segments of the diffusion of innovation theory. Although the analysis was performed with reference to the UK, the findings are transferable, considering the broader and urgent concerns related to human and planetary health.

Design science research (DSR) has become a popular method in information systems research and has been warmly welcomed in other disciplines as well. The importance of DSR is evident, in terms of its contribution to knowledge, as well as the creation of artefacts to solve problems of common interest. While it has demonstrated a clear methodology for achieving research goals, the philosophical underpinnings are not widely synthesised. There are inconsistencies and voids related to the philosophical aspects of DSR. For example, there is an inconsistent argument among researchers regarding the definition of design science research in the first place. This study analysed six key texts published within the last fifteen years in design science research along with a critical discussion, with the help of the existing literature. Accordingly, the study presents suggestions for the philosophical aspects of DSR. Namely, the definitions related to DSR terms (design, design science, design science research, and research), philosophical aspects (ontology, epistemology, and axiology), and theory development approaches (inductive, deductive, abductive, and retroductive), as well as research strategies were discussed. This is recommended to take as a starting point for a formative discussion of the topic, fine-tuning ideas with a critical eye.