Submitted by Paula Block on Tue, 13/05/2025 - 11:41
Join Anna Beckett from BuroHappold as guest speaker at the Lunchtime Seminar series.
Title: Building and Material Reuse in London
Abstract: In recent years the retention of existing buildings has risen to the top of the political agenda; we all know it’s more sustainable to retain an existing building than it is to demolish and rebuild. But when the requirements of a demanding client with high aspirations don’t quite match up with those buildings, how can we find more innovative ways to retain existing fabric? This talk will explore some of our recent projects in London, the challenges that the existing buildings presented and the ways these were overcome, as well as some of the options available for reuse of materials when retention isn’t an option.
Speaker Bio: Anna is an Associate Director and Structural Engineer at Buro Happold with a creative problem-solving based approach and a focus on sustainable design. She is particularly interested in the re-use of both buildings and materials and has experience working with existing buildings across a variety of sectors, including several office refurbishment projects in London. As well as being part of internal sustainability groups, Anna is involved with the Engineers Reuse Collective, the Circular Do Tank and a Material Passports working group. She is also part of the Institution of Structural Engineers’ “Structural Futures Committee” and writes a regular column on sustainable design for Building Design.
Anna has worked on many notable retrofit and refurbishment projects in London including the award-winning York House, Premier Place, and currently 63 New Bond Street which involves the refurbishment and extension of the former Fenwick’s store on New Bond Street.