Retrofit Meets is an in person series of panel events bringing together experts in the built environment. These are held in the seminar suites of the Building Centre.
Organised thematically, panellists will discuss their latest research and completed or ongoing projects, some of which are displayed in the Retrofit 24 exhibition. These discussions will present the aims, challenges and outcomes of each project. The event format will also allow for dialogue between the panellists offering our attendees new insights into retrofit. We encourage audience participation during the Q&A portion of the evening and look forward to meeting you there.
Chaired by Smith Mordak of UK Green Building Council this session brings together four panellists to discuss the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and how they ensure ESG standards are being met throughout a retrofit project.
Smith will be joined by Darcy Arnold- Jones of Marks Barfield Architects who recently completed an office refurbishment (22 Baker Street) and Doug Hodgson, co- founder of TDO Architecture, who undertook the retrofit of existing structures (Great Suffolk Yard and Low Line Arches) to create commercial hubs useful to the local community.
Likewise, Jan Kattein of Jan Kattein Architects has recently completed two projects; Angel Yard and Paper Garden, both projects provided spaces that can facilitate educational and employment opportunities. Ed Wealend of Longevity Partners will also join the panel- his expertise lies in ensuring sustainability targets specifically, are being met throughout a project. He will also touch upon finance and governance decisions in real estate.
- Smith Mordak (Chief Executive- UK Green Building Council)
- Darcy Arnold- Jones (Climate Action Group & Architect- Marks Barfield Architects)
- Doug Hodgson (Founding Director- TDO Architecture)
- Jan Kattein (Director- Jan Kattein Architects)
- Ed Wealend (Chief Innovation Officer- Longevity Partners)
Smith has held leadership roles in architecture and engineering firms; Buro Happold, Webb Yates Engineers, and Studio Weave. They have assumed authorship of several initiatives and reports, including to COP26 in Glasgow. Smith has also held a range of positions in which they have campaigned for a transition to a more sustainable future, including as Board Member for The Architecture Foundation. Smith has contributed regularly to national and trade press including the Guardian, Financial Times, Dezeen, and The Architect’s Journal.
Darcy is a Project Architect and co-founder of MBA’s Climate Action Group. Having just completed a low carbon, commercial retrofit – the donor building - and orchestrating the reuse of materials, she continues to advance circularity within the practice. She is developing a Deconstruction Pocketbook in collaboration with demolition contractors, along with a series of schemes for reused material hubs in London.
Doug co-founded TDO in 2011. Significant projects include: Old Church Street, townhouse in Chelsea (2015); Fab House, low-cost modular terrace housing in North Shields, Low Line Arches, redevelopment of railway arches in Bankside and Bermondsey (2022) and Great Suffolk Yard, 7,623m2 retrofit alongside new build to provide sustainable redevelopment of new workspace buildings in Borough (2023).
Jan is a writer, lecturer and registered architect in the UK and the Netherlands. Notable publications include ‘The Architecture Chronicle – Diary of an Architectural Practice’ and ‘High Street Regeneration’ published in 2022. Jan is founding director of Jan Kattein Architects. His practice is recognized internationally as one of the leading placemaking and participatory design practices with award-winning projects. Recent awards include the 2023 social Value Architect of the Year Award.
Ed has been working in sustainability for over 15 years both as a chartered engineer and as a sustainability consultant. In his current role Ed is responsible for shaping Longevity Partners’ approach to innovation. Ed’s work focuses on making buildings and client investment more sustainable, concentrating on net zero strategies, energy efficiency and enhancing health and air quality. Ed regularly connects with universities, research groups and industry leaders to keep Longevity’s ideas fresh and influential.
