In 2023, a staggering 87% of UK office stock only achieved an EPC rating of C or below. With new targets on efficiency fast approaching, offices must do better.
Our COO Emily Smith recently collaborated with Sarah Halpin, Head of Sustainable Solutions at engineering and environmental consultancy Ramboll, to explore the benefits of retrofitting heritage buildings, for PBC Today.
They explained that 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 are already constructed, and research from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors reveals that more than a third of the lifetime carbon emissions from a typical office development will already have been released on completion. In this context, it’s clear that retrofitting is a crucial tool. It’s a means of forging a more sustainable future as well as rejuvenating existing office buildings to meet the evolving demands of the contemporary workforce.
Completing an ambitious refurbishment programme of our portfolio of heritage office buildings in prime London locations has given us first-hand experience of this challenge. We have found it is possible to chart a path forward with discreet insulation, HVAC systems and accessibility features that are effective, while respecting the character of our treasured heritage assets.
