Retrofit projects are raising the bar across the UK for their positive impact. So what schemes do we predict will create a buzz in 2025?

We were proud to support NLA’s Retrofit Summit this year alongside shedkm, where Gareth Atkinson, director in our London studio, shared the initiatives that are redefining how we are reinvigorating, reusing and decarbonising London’s existing building stock.

Gareth commented: “It’s an important moment for adaptive re-use and commercial retrofit. Here in London, we’re seeing a step up in initiatives repurposing the large number of old buildings into workspaces fit for the future.

“Across the UK and Ireland, teams are coming together to share their innovations and push forwards schemes that put material reuse centre stage. Collaboration is making real strides in tackling the climate crisis.”

There are many ‘ones to watch’ that we’re proud to be working on. Some highlights to keep your eyes on in 2025 include:

◾ Pinners Hall in the City of London – an iconic building set to be repositioned into a modern workspace, with a focus on minimising embodied carbon through material reuse and retention. We’re working with PATRIZIA, Stiff + Trevillion Architects, Far East Organization and Montagu Evans on the scheme [image credit: PATRIZIA].

◾ Civic – Wigan’s ‘coolest office development’ repurposing the modernist civic centre into a thriving business community. It’s a huge part of the town’s regeneration story being brought forward by Capital&Centric, Wigan City Council, shedkm, Crookes Walker and Planit [image credit: Capital&Centric]

◾ Barkers of Kensington – the major revamp of the Grade II listed Art Deco store into office and retail space, with creative engineering to reinvent its interior and atrium. We’re proud to work with Emrys, Rider Levett Bucknall and Hilson Moran on it [image credit: Emrys].

◾ Accrington town square – the £20m regeneration breathing new life into the town centre with the restoration of the historic Market Hall, Burtons Chambers and Market Chambers. The team behind it includes Hyndburn Borough Council, AECOM, Hive project management, RLB, Donald Insall heritage architect, SI Sealey building services engineer, LDA Design and MAC Construction Consultants. [image credit: AEW Architects]