The journey to net zero is more important than ever, with the UK recently doubling down on its pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Argyll CEO, John Drover, tells BE News that “as custodians of Grade I and II listed buildings across prime central London, the Argyll team realises the importance of protecting the history embedded in the walls and streets of the city we occupy. Our recent capex refurbishment programme presented an opportunity to bring our Argyll portfolio up to speed with the demands of the modern workforce while celebrating the architectural history of the buildings and playing our role in the city’s sustainability efforts.”
Drover goes on to share that delivering retrofit strategies is not without its challenges. Referring to the refurbishment at 1 Cornhill, he says “from replacing the heating and cooling system, reducing energy consumption through motion-sensor lighting, and designing a heritage lounge that sensitively restored the building’s original grandeur, the retrofit had to navigate complex and inconsistent planning regulations and conservation challenges.”
“Heritage buildings at first glance may appear to present a daunting hurdle to net zero goals. However, given 80% of buildings that will be occupied in 2050 already exist, decarbonising existing stock is crucial. A retrofit-first approach requires perseverance but it is feasible and absolutely essential to securing the future of London offices.”
