RIBA and The King’s Foundation launch collaborative retrofit events to promote building reuse
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and The King’s Foundation have unveiled a new collaborative initiative aimed at promoting retrofitting and the reuse of existing buildings, highlighting the local skills and expertise crucial to these efforts. This partnership is set to further the dialogue on sustainable practices within the built environment through a series of regional events.
Building on the successful pilot event held in Fleetwood, Lancashire, this collaboration will host two additional events in 2025, designed to bring together key stakeholders and thought leaders from across the construction, heritage, and sustainability sectors. These forums aim to foster cross-sector cooperation and share best practices, focusing on the role of retrofit as a vital part of achieving long-term sustainability goals.
The first event, entitled “Reimagining resources – Buildings, crafts and materials,” will take place on 3 July at The Glove Factory Studios in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. This gathering will feature expert panels, interactive workshops, and live demonstrations, all geared towards exploring how existing buildings and materials can be reused effectively to reduce environmental impact. A subsequent event planned for September will delve into the importance of retrofit in creating healthy indoor environments, further emphasising the intersection of sustainability and wellbeing.
Retrofit, which encompasses upgrading existing buildings for better energy efficiency, durability, and adaptability, has been a central theme of RIBA president Muyiwa Oki’s tenure. It complements The King’s Foundation’s broader mission of fostering harmony between built and natural environments. The Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to these principles through its work on notable projects such as Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Fleetwood Hospital in Lancashire, and Drapers Hall in Coventry.
Speaking to PBC Today, RIBA president Muyiwa Oki highlighted the urgency of prioritising retrofit in national policy: “We know that around 80% of the buildings that will be in use in 2050 already exist. If we’re serious about cutting carbon emissions, preserving heritage, and creating spaces that really serve our communities, we must continue to push retrofit up the national agenda. I’m excited to continue our collaboration with The King’s Foundation, building on our successful pilot in Fleetwood to deliver two dynamic events that will bring together the key players from across our built environment.”
Sarah Robinson, architect and associate director at The King’s Foundation, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the social dimension of repurposing existing buildings: “Repurposing existing buildings is vital not only because of their carbon value but because of their inherent social value as the backdrop to our daily lives and the glue of existing communities. Finding new uses for these buildings can create exciting challenges for the next generation of architects. At The King’s Foundation, we champion the sustainable regeneration of buildings, so we are excited to be collaborating with RIBA to establish a forum for engaging conversations.”
Tickets for the first event in July will be available from May via architecture.com, inviting professionals from associations, confederations, trade bodies, and other sector stakeholders to participate in shaping the future of retrofit and sustainable construction practices.
This joint initiative by RIBA and The King’s Foundation is positioned to play a significant role in advancing retrofit as a critical strategy for sustainability within the built environment, addressing both environmental and community-centered concerns with expert-led discussions and practical demonstrations at a regional level.