In the run up to the NLA Retrofit Summit, we’re hearing our team’s insights on the realities of retrofit.

Lauren Boag, structural design engineer in our Glasgow studio, shares the positive impact that creative retrofit approaches can unlock:

“’Retrofit’ is becoming a bit of a buzzword in the industry. We need more in-depth chats about what it means and the positive impact it can have, both in terms of sustainability and creating spaces for people that work for the future. Getting more people to be vocal and share their project experiences would help to spark change.

“Here in Glasgow, there’s so much potential for heritage sites to be given a new lease of life. The city has lots of old vacant structures, or buildings with functioning retail units on the ground floor but empty floor space above that could be transformed, all while new buildings are going up at pace.

“A lot of it comes down to funding and fear of the unknown. Developers are often less keen to take on a retrofit project as there’s a perception that there will be more work involved. There needs to be more incentives for landowners or local authorities to encourage wider retrofit and reuse, and a greater understanding of what it entails.

“While retrofit projects can be complex, there’s so much to be gained. As part of our approach, we delve into the archives and gather as much information as we can about a building’s past. Stepping into the shoes of past engineers really helps us to understand what the space was intended for and how it was designed and built. It saves time and resources because we’re not starting from scratch, and helps us to preserve historic character.

“One scheme that is creating ripples is one of our projects in London, where we’re refurbishing the former House of Fraser on Oxford Street into The Elephant, a mixed-use destination. Our team has re-used 40 tonnes of steel from the site at a separate development, TBC.London, in an industry first.

“It’s great to be able to show people around projects like this to demonstrate the creative ways that materials can be reclaimed. There are many more projects to shout about, including those at an earlier stage that will have a huge impact in the future.

“A brilliant example is a project we’re working on at Baltic Street in Leith, to create a mixed-use development with student accommodation, affordable housing and shops, and a digital co-working space. Situated within the Leith Conservation Area, the site contains a rare group of historic Category B-Listed industrial buildings, which we’re working to conserve and integrate into the scheme. It’s a fantastic project which is protecting industrial heritage and blending the old with the new. It will set the bar high for others to follow once complete.”