In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Philip Atkinson and Llinos Hughes from Orbit Architects to explore the real-world impact (and joy!) of transforming existing buildings.

Together, they explore how creative design thrives not despite, but because of, constraints, and why retrofit is a necessity for shaping the future of our cities.

Philip and Llinos share Orbit’s nearly exclusive focus on transforming existing buildings - working across hospitality, workplace, student accommodation, and residential sectors. With over 20 years in practice, they reflect on how adapting and reimagining old structures leads to more sustainable, context-aware, and community-rooted design.

Discover:

• Why people, not form, are at the heart of every successful place
• How Orbit champions retrofit-first thinking - from heritage restoration to creative reuse of space to unlock value
• Why constraints breed creativity and challenge architects to think deeper
• The stories behind retrofit projects such as 68 King William Street and The BoTree Hotel
• How Orbit built a diverse and collaborative studio culture - organically
  
  

Orbit’s work champions local material reuse, low-carbon strategies, and community-first design, demonstrating that retrofit isn’t just about compromise; it’s a creative act.

 🔹 Join us as we ‘talk place’.

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Website:https://www.orbitarchitects.com/
Twitter: @orbitarchitects
Instagram: @orbitarchitects

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