Why do some buildings last for centuries while others disappear in mere decades? From the remerging role of passive design measures to creating ‘flexible’ buildings, this week sees guest experts from our lighting, engineering and architecture teams question what it takes to design long-lasting, sustainable buildings for generations to come.  

Featured projects

• Welsh School of Architecture
• Senate House, University of London

Meet the speakers

• Alan Davies 
• Nick Durham
• Jessica Kennedy
• Mark Ridler

Socials

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

This week, Alan Davies and his new panel of experts discuss how to bring old buildings back to life. As we emerge from the global pandemic, new civic strategies require more modern solutions for spaces. From adaptive reuse of historic structures to retrofit projects in modern buildings, there are more options available to building owners and designers than ever before. Retrofit and refurbishment seems like the obvious choice but is it more cost-effective and can we retain the important character and history that is inherent in these buildings? 

Featured projects

• Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport
• Bata Shoe Factory
• Aberdeen Music Hall
• Glasgow Queen Street Station

Meet the speakers

• Alan Davies 
• Michael Cambden
• Bruce Kennedy
• Dev Mehta

Socials

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

Alan Davies is joined by Tianyi Gu, Akshay Khera and Illyas Maljee to explore how adaptive reuse is becoming a global trend in design and architecture. No one country has the ability to solve the climate emergency and when it comes to the reuse of buildings, we have to be sensitive to the building stock, environments and policies that influence the industry. But how does this affect the design and construction process? Do we still have a way to go to persuade some nations that reusing older buildings is the best approach or is it already taking off as a worldwide initiative?  

Featured projects

• 42 Abu Dhabi
• Shanghai Yangshupu Power Station
• University of Bristol Dental School

Meet the speakers

• Alan Davies 
• Tianyi Gu
• Akshay Khera
• Illyas Maljee

Socials

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this first episode of our debut series, Old Buildings - New Beginnings, BDP’s head of heritage, Alan Davies meets with Lucy Townsend, Il’ic Testoni and James Hepburn to ask the fundamental question, ‘Can we make historic buildings sustainable?’ They discuss how to measure sustainability in old buildings and analyse what we can do to adapt existing structures to meet ever-stringent net zero carbon ambitions in the face of a climate emergency.

See our projects

• BDP.com

Meet the speakers

• Alan Davies 
• Lucy Townsend
• Il’ic Testoni 
• James Hepburn

Socials

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode of Old Buildings - New Beginnings, Alan Davies is joined by Jesse Klimitz, Christine Davis and David Artis to discuss how to make old buildings more inclusive. Together they debate the meaning of accessibility, inclusivity and equality in the built environment, highlighting physical and perceived barriers that users can face. Concluding the episode, our experts discuss how heritage buildings can be adapted to be more considerate of everyone who uses them.

See our projects

• BDP.com
• BDP Quadrangle
• Human Space

Meet the speakers

• Alan Davies 
• Jesse Klimitz
• Christine Davis
• David Artis

Socials

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram