The case for retrofit; What is preventing a return to the mainstream?

My research project investigates the reasons why retrofit has lost out to rebuild as the mainstream strategy in the built environment, despite its key role in meeting climate targets. While demolition and new construction often dominate development thinking, I argue that retrofit, the process of upgrading and adapting existing buildings, offers a far more sustainable alternative, capable of balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.

To explore this issue, I combined an extensive literature review with qualitative insights gathered through interviews with key stakeholders across the sector. Through these discussions, I identified a range of barriers, including fragmented policy, poor communication across stakeholder groups, regulatory hurdles (particularly around listed buildings), limited technical understanding of older structures, and financial disincentives such as unfavourable taxation policy and a lack of tailored funding mechanisms.

What stood out to me was the gap between the widespread theoretical support for retrofit and the practical realities that hinder its adoption. For example, vital heritage protections often prevent necessary sustainability upgrades, and VAT rules favouring new builds further discourage retrofit. Yet, I also found inspiring examples where retrofit has succeeded in overcoming these challenges. The Entopia Building retrofit in Cambridge, which pursued multiple certifications including BREEAM Outstanding and EnerPHit Classic, showed how ambitious, integrated strategies can push boundaries and serve as proof of concept for others to follow.

Ultimately, my work makes the case for a more coherent and holistic approach to retrofit decision-making. One that embraces whole-life thinking, circular economy principles, and cross-sector collaboration. I believe that, if embraced more widely, such an approach could dramatically reduce carbon emissions, preserve architectural heritage, and deliver meaningful social and economic value. My aim is to contribute to shifting the narrative so retrofit becomes not just a viable option, but the default choice for sustainable building development.

My interest in retrofit began when I was six years old. The house we lived in, though full of character, had seen better days and required significant care. As a heritage-protected property, any changes visible from the street were strictly limited. I remember vividly how we were forced to replace decaying front windows with identical single-glazed units, while at the back, out of sight, we were free to install efficient double glazing. Even at that age, I found it puzzling that aesthetic regulations could override practical improvements, especially those that affected our comfort, energy bills, and carbon footprint. It sparked an early awareness of the tension between preservation and performance.

This theme resurfaced years later during my gap year at Arup, where I supported a research project into the concept of the “1000-year building”—a provocative exploration of how we might design and maintain structures to last across generations. It was my first real experience of academic research, and I was hooked. From engaging with expert interviews to analysing long-life structures and publishing our findings, I discovered the joy of asking ambitious questions and grounding them in real-world, multidisciplinary insights.

My Laidlaw Research allowed me to build on that foundation. One of the key findings from the “1000-year building” project was the role of retrofit in extending building lifecycles. I had the opportunity to take this thread, one that had long held personal significance, and develop it into a dedicated research project of its own.

What is the most memorable moment from your Laidlaw scholarship experience so far?

My favourite moment came during the 2023 Scholars Conference, which was the first time I truly felt part of the incredible Laidlaw scholar community. During the poster sessions, I found myself engrossed in a conversation with Méabh Scahill, who was presenting their brilliant research on the Hirschfeld Centre and Dublin’s 1980s gay scene (a study I’d highly recommend to anyone). As we spoke, we were joined by Emma Hwang, who was pulling together a dream team of scholars working on themes around the urban environment.

What followed was one of the most enriching conversations I’ve ever had. Despite all of us exploring the same broad topic, the diversity of perspectives, disciplinary lenses, and lived experiences was genuinely awe-inspiring. Being part of that group of such passionate, driven, and thoughtful individuals was a real honour.

If I have one regret, it’s that we didn’t take that collaboration further. Ever since, I’ve never turned down an opportunity to work with others, but that moment sparked a long-standing wish to reconnect with those scholars and do something meaningful together. The Laidlaw network showed me what’s possible when talented people come together with shared purpose—and that’s stayed with me ever since.

For me, being a Laidlaw scholar has been transformational. It hasn’t just been a programme, but rather a process of becoming. Throughout my time as a scholar, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about always having the answers. It’s about showing up with humility, clarity, and conviction.

Before taking part in the programme, I saw leadership as a skillset, but now, I understand it more as a reflection of character. I’ve grown in resilience, learned to navigate complexity with purpose, and found strength in vulnerability, particularly during the most difficult moments of my Leadership-in-Action project in Chicago.

This journey has made me braver, more grounded, and more aware of the kind of leader I want to be: one who listens deeply, acts with integrity, and builds community. Being a Laidlaw scholar means holding myself to that standard and helping others do the same.

Which particular leaders inspire you the most and why?

Anne Hidalgo inspires me immensely as a leader, not just in words, but through bold, often controversial action. Since becoming Mayor of Paris in 2014, she has remained unwavering in her mission to shift the city from a car-centric model to one centred on people and the planet. Her vision has delivered tangible results: a 40% drop in air pollution, over 1,300km of bike lanes, and an ambitious reimagining of Paris as a 15-minute city.

What I admire most is her bravery and determination in the face of fierce political opposition. Despite low approval ratings and a failed presidential run, she continues to champion long-term, systemic change, placing sustainability above short-term popularity. She is the perfect demonstration of what I’ve learned as a scholar, namely that ethical leadership often means doing what is right, not what is easy.

Her work resonates with me on how leadership can drive urban transformation. Like Hidalgo, I believe cities must evolve not just physically, but ethically, centred on equity, resilience, and environmental stewardship. She shows that leadership is not about pleasing everyone, but about leaving a legacy of purpose-driven change, even when the path is difficult.

I would love to see a future where economies are built around social value, democratic ownership, and long-term environmental stewardship. In this society, housing is no longer an investment vehicle but a right, our existing buildings are not just preserved but operate with reduced emissions while creating skilled, secure jobs, all enabled through public–private collaboration. Wealth is redistributed through progressive taxation and inclusive education, providing a real opportunity for social mobility. Trans rights are enshrined in law and protected by practice, with gender-diverse leadership embedded across sectors. Infrastructure, from transport to energy, is publicly owned and accountable, built with circular principles at its core. This is what happens when ethical leadership, policy reform, and collective action converge. My work is focused on laying the technical, organisational, and cultural groundwork to help realise that transformation—brick by brick, policy by policy.

My rowing crew won our first competition together! We had really struggled for results last term with lots of novices coming into the boat, but we had an amazing training camp where we made so much progress together. When we got back to Cambridge we very much hit the ground running and have been smashing it in the last few weeks.

I had the chance to be part of something genuinely special with Urban Rivers, an organisation turning forgotten city rivers into vibrant, floating ecosystems. The Wild Mile project is rewilding the Chicago River with floating habitats, public walkways, and community spaces, all grounded in science and built through collaboration. It’s proof that even in the middle of a city, nature can thrive when we make space for it. If you’re looking for ways to make a difference, I’d recommend getting involved with any local conservation or community group near you. Whether it’s tree planting, volunteering at a wildlife charity, or helping with a clean-up day, these small actions really add up. Projects like this remind me that sustainability isn’t just about policy. It’s about people, place, and purpose.

Check out @urbanrivers or look up something local. You never know what amazing work might be happening just around the corner.