#Glasgow #Southside has lost more #ArtDeco buildings & shopfronts than it's retained...but the survivors are beacons for communities & passers-by. Some like the streamline international style Luma Light Bulb Factory have been sustainably adapted #adaptivereuse #retrofitfirst bsky.app/profile/this...
Nightfall at Luma Tower on the southside of Glasgow. Designed by Cornelius Armour in a Steamline Moderne style and built in 1938, it's one of the best preserved Art Deco buildings in the city.
Cont./
#glasgow #architecture #artdeco #artdecoarchitecture #glasgowatnight #nightphotography
Cont./
#glasgow #architecture #artdeco #artdecoarchitecture #glasgowatnight #nightphotography
December 3, 2024 at 9:51 PM
#Glasgow #Southside has lost more #ArtDeco buildings & shopfronts than it's retained...but the survivors are beacons for communities & passers-by. Some like the streamline international style Luma Light Bulb Factory have been sustainably adapted #adaptivereuse #retrofitfirst bsky.app/profile/this...
As well as a huge swathe of central #Glasgow Southside cinemas ~ #ArtDeco, earlier & later styles ~ @scottishcinemas.org gave a much longer look back at ABC / Regal on Sauchiehall St, demolition finishing this week 😢 #RetrofitFirst www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/glasgow/abcr... bsky.app/profile/bric...
November 19, 2024 at 11:07 PM
As well as a huge swathe of central #Glasgow Southside cinemas ~ #ArtDeco, earlier & later styles ~ @scottishcinemas.org gave a much longer look back at ABC / Regal on Sauchiehall St, demolition finishing this week 😢 #RetrofitFirst www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/glasgow/abcr... bsky.app/profile/bric...
"It's not just Carbon.
It's embodied M&S Carbon."
A major blow against the principle of #RetrofitFirst as Angela Rayner greenlights the demolition and rebuild of the Oxford St M&S.
It's embodied M&S Carbon."
A major blow against the principle of #RetrofitFirst as Angela Rayner greenlights the demolition and rebuild of the Oxford St M&S.
December 5, 2024 at 4:54 PM
"It's not just Carbon.
It's embodied M&S Carbon."
A major blow against the principle of #RetrofitFirst as Angela Rayner greenlights the demolition and rebuild of the Oxford St M&S.
It's embodied M&S Carbon."
A major blow against the principle of #RetrofitFirst as Angela Rayner greenlights the demolition and rebuild of the Oxford St M&S.
If #HeritageWorld (including archaeology) could get its act together there would be a concerted public campaign to end the blatent cultural and environmental injustice and outrage that planet friendly lower carbon repair, restoration & #RetrofitFirst attracts VAT where demolish and newbuild doesn't.
In the UK, you could demolish a church VAT-free, but if you wanted to repair that church, you would have to pay VAT.
November 22, 2025 at 10:18 AM
If #HeritageWorld (including archaeology) could get its act together there would be a concerted public campaign to end the blatent cultural and environmental injustice and outrage that planet friendly lower carbon repair, restoration & #RetrofitFirst attracts VAT where demolish and newbuild doesn't.
You can see this in energy prices too. When people feel worse off, votes shift and energy bills are one of the most emotionally and economically charged drivers of that. Retrofit is political as much as climate, unfortunately.
#RetrofitFirst #EnergySecurity #CostOfLiving #PoliticalEconomy
#RetrofitFirst #EnergySecurity #CostOfLiving #PoliticalEconomy
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not hearing anything from politicians about the need to retrofit our buildings and change the way we heat them. Is this intentional, because dissatisfied people in precarious circumstances tend to vote for right-wing parties? Why are the 'social' parties complicit here?
December 9, 2025 at 4:18 PM
You can see this in energy prices too. When people feel worse off, votes shift and energy bills are one of the most emotionally and economically charged drivers of that. Retrofit is political as much as climate, unfortunately.
#RetrofitFirst #EnergySecurity #CostOfLiving #PoliticalEconomy
#RetrofitFirst #EnergySecurity #CostOfLiving #PoliticalEconomy
In my experience following planning cases COIL's are a particular problem with modern and industrial buildings where the heritage sector is still evolving its assessments of significance.
It is arguable that in principal, and especially in these days of #RetrofitFirst, they have no place.
It is arguable that in principal, and especially in these days of #RetrofitFirst, they have no place.
December 7, 2023 at 2:54 PM
In my experience following planning cases COIL's are a particular problem with modern and industrial buildings where the heritage sector is still evolving its assessments of significance.
It is arguable that in principal, and especially in these days of #RetrofitFirst, they have no place.
It is arguable that in principal, and especially in these days of #RetrofitFirst, they have no place.
Planning News
Owners apply to demolish Grade B listed Caerlee Mill at Innerleithen in the Borders after claim cost to put one of Scotland's earliest industrial buildings back into use exceeds allocated budget.
#RetrofitFirst (But not if you get the numbers wrong)
Owners apply to demolish Grade B listed Caerlee Mill at Innerleithen in the Borders after claim cost to put one of Scotland's earliest industrial buildings back into use exceeds allocated budget.
#RetrofitFirst (But not if you get the numbers wrong)
Caerlee Mill: Demolition bid lodged for historic industrial site
Caerlee Mill is understood to be one of the earliest industrial buildings constructed in Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Planning News
Owners apply to demolish Grade B listed Caerlee Mill at Innerleithen in the Borders after claim cost to put one of Scotland's earliest industrial buildings back into use exceeds allocated budget.
#RetrofitFirst (But not if you get the numbers wrong)
Owners apply to demolish Grade B listed Caerlee Mill at Innerleithen in the Borders after claim cost to put one of Scotland's earliest industrial buildings back into use exceeds allocated budget.
#RetrofitFirst (But not if you get the numbers wrong)
New planning policy guidance for the City of London adopts a #RetrofitFirst approach, as well as setting other environmentally sustainable goals for developers.
City of London’s ‘retrofit first’ policy to come into force
The new Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), provides guidance on how ...
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
January 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
New planning policy guidance for the City of London adopts a #RetrofitFirst approach, as well as setting other environmentally sustainable goals for developers.
#RetrofitFirst News
£8.7m of levelling up money will see Plymouth's G2 former civic centre become a learning & skills hub.
About the project, BDP architect director Mark Baund said:
“Adaptive reuse has the ability to restore purpose and relevance to buildings that have shaped a city’s identity."
£8.7m of levelling up money will see Plymouth's G2 former civic centre become a learning & skills hub.
About the project, BDP architect director Mark Baund said:
“Adaptive reuse has the ability to restore purpose and relevance to buildings that have shaped a city’s identity."
BDP unveils plans to convert grade II-listed Plymouth Civic Centre into housing and skills hub
www.bdonline.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
#RetrofitFirst News
£8.7m of levelling up money will see Plymouth's G2 former civic centre become a learning & skills hub.
About the project, BDP architect director Mark Baund said:
“Adaptive reuse has the ability to restore purpose and relevance to buildings that have shaped a city’s identity."
£8.7m of levelling up money will see Plymouth's G2 former civic centre become a learning & skills hub.
About the project, BDP architect director Mark Baund said:
“Adaptive reuse has the ability to restore purpose and relevance to buildings that have shaped a city’s identity."
Duncan Wilson of Historic England makes a good case for #RetrofitFirst over demolish to rebuild & the need to develop a skilled work force, but why hide the 20% cost advantage new builds have over renovation though zero VAT rating behind the phrase "market economics"?
It is GOVUK's political choice.
It is GOVUK's political choice.
People, Place, Planet: Think Piece by Duncan Wilson CBE
Read our second People, Place, Planet: Think Piece from Duncan Wilson part of our WEdesign 2023/24 event series.
theglasshouse.org.uk
January 24, 2024 at 8:07 PM
Duncan Wilson of Historic England makes a good case for #RetrofitFirst over demolish to rebuild & the need to develop a skilled work force, but why hide the 20% cost advantage new builds have over renovation though zero VAT rating behind the phrase "market economics"?
It is GOVUK's political choice.
It is GOVUK's political choice.
April 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Much easier than building new homes – let’s use the 1M+ empty properties we already have! Less planning, lower costs, quicker results. Retrofitting revitalises communities, cuts emissions, and protects the green belt.
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
January 31, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Much easier than building new homes – let’s use the 1M+ empty properties we already have! Less planning, lower costs, quicker results. Retrofitting revitalises communities, cuts emissions, and protects the green belt.
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
GPT Icon
We don’t need to keep building new homes – we need to use the 1M+ empty properties we already have. Retrofitting can revitalise communities, cut emissions, and protect the green belt.
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
We don’t need to keep building new homes – we need to use the 1M+ empty properties we already have. Retrofitting can revitalise communities, cut emissions, and protect the green belt.
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
Great article by @centreforcities.bsky.social which draws on analysis from @cihhousing.bsky.social UK Housing Review
In summary: "A ‘generational increase’ in public housebuilding rates will require a generational increase in direct public investment."
#UKHousing #SocialHousing #PlanForHousing
In summary: "A ‘generational increase’ in public housebuilding rates will require a generational increase in direct public investment."
#UKHousing #SocialHousing #PlanForHousing
📌The limits of funding affordable housebuilding through private development
A ‘generational increase’ of social housebuilding cannot be achieved without more direct public investment.
Read our latest blog from @mauricelange.bsky.social 👇
https://buff.ly/3CoVXtn
A ‘generational increase’ of social housebuilding cannot be achieved without more direct public investment.
Read our latest blog from @mauricelange.bsky.social 👇
https://buff.ly/3CoVXtn
January 31, 2025 at 10:01 AM
GPT Icon
We don’t need to keep building new homes – we need to use the 1M+ empty properties we already have. Retrofitting can revitalise communities, cut emissions, and protect the green belt.
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
We don’t need to keep building new homes – we need to use the 1M+ empty properties we already have. Retrofitting can revitalise communities, cut emissions, and protect the green belt.
#RetrofitFirst #UKHousing
And quelle surprise!
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
And quelle surprise!
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
#RetrofitFirst Not: News
"This isn't regeneration, this is obliteration,"
Burt McNeil, Chair, Leicester Civic Society.
The CBA is one of the groups to protest after facadism and (quellle suprise) 18 story towers are set to replace historic Leicester textile factory.
"This isn't regeneration, this is obliteration,"
Burt McNeil, Chair, Leicester Civic Society.
The CBA is one of the groups to protest after facadism and (quellle suprise) 18 story towers are set to replace historic Leicester textile factory.
Leicester Corah factory demolition approved despite heritage loss
Concerns are raised about the loss of historic buildings as part of a large regeneration scheme.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
#RetrofitFirst Not: News
"This isn't regeneration, this is obliteration,"
Burt McNeil, Chair, Leicester Civic Society.
The CBA is one of the groups to protest after facadism and (quellle suprise) 18 story towers are set to replace historic Leicester textile factory.
"This isn't regeneration, this is obliteration,"
Burt McNeil, Chair, Leicester Civic Society.
The CBA is one of the groups to protest after facadism and (quellle suprise) 18 story towers are set to replace historic Leicester textile factory.
#RetrofitFirst Works
Architects Fathom have completed the conversion of four linked Victorian warehouses in a conservation area in Clerkenwell on the edge of the City of London and not a tower in sight...
Architects Fathom have completed the conversion of four linked Victorian warehouses in a conservation area in Clerkenwell on the edge of the City of London and not a tower in sight...
In pictures: Fathom completes one of Clerkenwell’s largest heritage office projects
The 70,000sqft scheme combines four buildings into a single development
www.bdonline.co.uk
May 27, 2025 at 12:16 PM
#RetrofitFirst Works
Architects Fathom have completed the conversion of four linked Victorian warehouses in a conservation area in Clerkenwell on the edge of the City of London and not a tower in sight...
Architects Fathom have completed the conversion of four linked Victorian warehouses in a conservation area in Clerkenwell on the edge of the City of London and not a tower in sight...
Local Planning, National Issue
A #RetrofitFirst row at Newton Abbot in Devon as council stages a crunch vote on Tuesday [30 July 2024], which could seal the fate of the Bradley Lane Mills site, which faces demolition.
Historic England argue demolition would be a "missed opportunity."
A #RetrofitFirst row at Newton Abbot in Devon as council stages a crunch vote on Tuesday [30 July 2024], which could seal the fate of the Bradley Lane Mills site, which faces demolition.
Historic England argue demolition would be a "missed opportunity."
Rethink demolition of Newton Abbot site says heritage charity
SAVE Britain’s Heritage are calling on Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to re-think plans to demolish a historic Newton Abbot site.
www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk
July 29, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Local Planning, National Issue
A #RetrofitFirst row at Newton Abbot in Devon as council stages a crunch vote on Tuesday [30 July 2024], which could seal the fate of the Bradley Lane Mills site, which faces demolition.
Historic England argue demolition would be a "missed opportunity."
A #RetrofitFirst row at Newton Abbot in Devon as council stages a crunch vote on Tuesday [30 July 2024], which could seal the fate of the Bradley Lane Mills site, which faces demolition.
Historic England argue demolition would be a "missed opportunity."
A local campaign backed by the Twentieth Century Society, historian Carl Chinn & TV presenter Kevin McCloud among others, is to seek a Judicial Review of Birmingham council's decision to allow the demolition of the brutalist Ringway Center. #RetrofitFirst
Legal challenge against Birmingham Ringway centre demolition
Campaigners oppose plans to redevelop Birmingham's Ringway centre.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 10, 2024 at 4:51 PM
A local campaign backed by the Twentieth Century Society, historian Carl Chinn & TV presenter Kevin McCloud among others, is to seek a Judicial Review of Birmingham council's decision to allow the demolition of the brutalist Ringway Center. #RetrofitFirst
With many developers still insisting on demolish and rebuild in our changing city centres, there are an increasing number of #RetrofitFirst projects showing there are alternatives.
Here a former John Lewis department store in Middlesborough may become a venue for the creative and performing arts.
Here a former John Lewis department store in Middlesborough may become a venue for the creative and performing arts.
Middlesbrough's House of Fraser building could become music venue
Middlesbrough Council wants to use Levelling Up money to turn the former store into a creative hub.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2024 at 12:40 PM
With many developers still insisting on demolish and rebuild in our changing city centres, there are an increasing number of #RetrofitFirst projects showing there are alternatives.
Here a former John Lewis department store in Middlesborough may become a venue for the creative and performing arts.
Here a former John Lewis department store in Middlesborough may become a venue for the creative and performing arts.
Barely thirty years old, the Architects Journal looks at the debate around the changing demands on the iconic towers of Canary Wharf & proposals to #RetrofitFirst converting an office space monoculture to mixed use supporting "residential units, offices, a hotel and space for emerging industries".
Retrofitting Canary Wharf: is there life in the Isle of Dogs yet?
HSBC’s announcement this summer that it was departing Canary Wharf generated a flood of headlines. T...
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
November 24, 2023 at 2:47 PM
Barely thirty years old, the Architects Journal looks at the debate around the changing demands on the iconic towers of Canary Wharf & proposals to #RetrofitFirst converting an office space monoculture to mixed use supporting "residential units, offices, a hotel and space for emerging industries".
In another London planning story Marks and Spencer have been given permission to appeal Communities Secretary Michael Gove's decision to block the redevelopment of the company's flagship Oxford Street store.
The plan is at the heart of a #RetrofitFirst row & is now something of a test case.
The plan is at the heart of a #RetrofitFirst row & is now something of a test case.
High Court grants M&S permission to appeal Gove’s Oxford Street ...
The proposals were blocked in July despite having been given the go-head by the London Mayor and the council
www.bdonline.co.uk
November 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM
In another London planning story Marks and Spencer have been given permission to appeal Communities Secretary Michael Gove's decision to block the redevelopment of the company's flagship Oxford Street store.
The plan is at the heart of a #RetrofitFirst row & is now something of a test case.
The plan is at the heart of a #RetrofitFirst row & is now something of a test case.
When considering existing assets, demolition should never be the default. Policy must require justification for taking a building down. From an embodied carbon perspective, keeping buildings in use is almost always the lower-carbon choice.
#CircularEconomy #RetrofitFirst #NetZeroCarbon #policy
#CircularEconomy #RetrofitFirst #NetZeroCarbon #policy
September 24, 2025 at 7:02 AM
When considering existing assets, demolition should never be the default. Policy must require justification for taking a building down. From an embodied carbon perspective, keeping buildings in use is almost always the lower-carbon choice.
#CircularEconomy #RetrofitFirst #NetZeroCarbon #policy
#CircularEconomy #RetrofitFirst #NetZeroCarbon #policy
80% of 2050’s building stock already exists. Retrofitting and reusing what’s here is the biggest carbon saving we can make, now! Circular design is future-proof business: lower costs, reduced risks, and resilient assets.
#circulareconomy #reuse #netzerocarbon #retrofitfirst
#circulareconomy #reuse #netzerocarbon #retrofitfirst
August 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
80% of 2050’s building stock already exists. Retrofitting and reusing what’s here is the biggest carbon saving we can make, now! Circular design is future-proof business: lower costs, reduced risks, and resilient assets.
#circulareconomy #reuse #netzerocarbon #retrofitfirst
#circulareconomy #reuse #netzerocarbon #retrofitfirst