Retrofit Stories : reduce / re-use / recycle
Re-use and retrofit may not be the easiest option, and requires a shift in perception and values from the contractor and the client, as well as the architect. It means looking at what you already have in more detail, imagining how it can be re-used or re-purposed, and it means learning to value and enjoy the ‘imperfect’ rather than relentlessly pursuing the new.
We have made a few short stories about the different types of approach to re-use and retrofit that we have taken. These include two early 20th century warehouses in Clerkenwell, a 1950s office in Fitzrovia, and a 1970s office in Northampton. We hope you enjoy them - a few more stories will follow soon.
We are passionate about creatively re-using, re-purposing, and retrofitting existing buildings. Higher value should be placed on our existing building stock and we work hard to identify creative and ambitious ways to optimise and improve buildings instead of demolishing and re-building.
Through retrofit we can help our clients meet their net zero carbon goals while reducing their energy costs and making their spaces healthier, more attractive, and more comfortable. Not only does this approach save operational and embodied carbon, but the result is often a more interesting building with a richer character and a stronger identity.
10 - 11 Clerkenwell Green, London
The story of the refurbishment and extension of a 13,000 sqft office to provide an additional 6,500 sqft of space while beautifully restoring the original buildings.
27 - 29 Whitfield Street, London
The story of how we refurbished and extended a 1950s office building and completely transformed the brick facade.
Office for CABE, Northampton
The story of how we applied a strict approach of reduce, re-use, and re-cycle to a low-energy fabric-first retrofit of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers' head office in Northampton; part of their drive to become a net zero carbon organisation by 2025.
We are particularly keen to help third-sector, charities and community organisations, and recently produced design guidance to inform and inspire village hall committees to make their buildings more energy efficient and sustainable. The research was produced together with ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) and launched in March 2024.
Click on the image on the right to read more about the project.
