GRAPHISOFT UK’s Post

We have launched a new report which aims to address the housing crisis with guidance on converting historic buildings. 🏡 Repurposing empty historic buildings could provide up to 670,000 new homes in England. We work with local authorities, communities and developers to recycle old buildings and find them vital new uses as homes and work places. This new report provides insight into the benefits and challenges of transforming historic buildings. Read more ⬇️

This article from Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) is a compelling look at how Glasgow City Council is driving transformational change in Shawlands, Glasgow Southside. It delves into the impact of long-term planning and active community engagement on revitalizing urban centers, with Shawlands as a powerful example of how public and community efforts can coalesce to create lasting impact. The council's commitment to strategic regeneration has attracted significant investment, fostering high-density housing developments and reinvigorating local infrastructure. This case illustrates the economic and social benefits of such projects and serves as an inspiring model for cities striving to balance growth, resilience, and livability in their neighborhoods. https://lnkd.in/dpxvN_fc

There are multiple knock-on benefits of revitalising housing in town centres - economic, social, health, wellbeing and environmental. #RetroFit #ReUse #NetZero

As housing needs grow, "Heritage Works for Housing" highlights an often-overlooked option: transforming historic buildings into homes. These structures, from grade-listed properties to smaller, non-designated assets, offer a chance to create distinctive and sustainable living spaces. Repurposing buildings makes sense environmentally, reducing the need for new materials and preserving the embodied carbon already present in these structures. It aligns with the idea that sustainable development involves creatively using what we already have. "Heritage Works for Housing" offers a guide for developers and communities on converting these properties for residential use, providing practical insights and examples of successful projects. Reimagining our built heritage could be a key strategy in addressing today’s housing needs while also supporting sustainable development. Learn more about this initiative on Historic England: https://lnkd.in/eEH4Rng7

In 2024, we conducted a series of interviews with Scottish Futures Trust and with support from Homes for Scotland. This engaged leading representatives of development companies with recent delivery experience of newbuild or retrofit housing across Scotland’s town centres from Kirkwall to St Andrews, Clydebank and Innerleithen. Here, we share the findings that explore the opportunities and barriers to successful Town Centre Living developments, drawing on insights from private-sector housing developers in Scotland: https://bit.ly/UtCL2025 The project was initiated and will be followed up by the Town Centre Living working group partners, which include Architecture and Design Scotland, Scottish Futures Trust, Scotland's Towns Partnership, Scottish Land Commission. Image of Housing at Caerlee Mill, Innerleithen by Whiteburn

Interesting and welcome report from A&DS.....and they use an image from a fantastically well designed and built development to illustrate their report.

Making historic homes warmer and more energy efficient: We’ve got a new post on our blog outlining key points to consider when undertaking the retrofit of an historic building. Click to read more: https://lnkd.in/eDzze5Qf

"Historic buildings are adaptable, and they have survived for hundreds of years, depending on their age; they are suitable for that. We've adapted them before, and we can do so again," says Cordula Zeidler, our head of heritage consultancy in London. Ahead of our London Festival of Architecture event today about practical approaches to creatively adapting unlisted historic buildings, we are looking back to the Heritage and Carbon report we co-authored with Grosvenor in 2021. Drawing on advice from National Trust, Historic England, Peabody, Southern Housing Group and The Crown Estate, it makes a powerful case for planning reforms to align heritage protection and environmental sustainability. The recommended policy changes could see a 7.7 MtCO2/annum reduction in operational carbon emissions, through fabric improvements to all listed buildings and unlisted historic dwellings in conservation areas nationwide. Access Heritage and Carbon here: https://lnkd.in/diGU6Er

Birmingham City Council rejected plans for a 42-story residential tower above a Grade II-listed building. While some councillors called the proposal "bonkers" the developers see it as a potential way to revitalise an unused site. This situation raises interesting questions about balancing modern development with preserving historic character in our cities. Can modern high-rise development coexist with historic buildings? Are there successful examples of such projects? https://lnkd.in/eCk-cRCp

My thoughts exactly.