Kris Eley speaks at RIBA reuse symposium

RIBA reuse symposium panel discussion at Mitchell Eley Gould converted The Glove Factory, Holt

Kris Eley was invited to share his expertise on reuse at the national annual RIBA symposium entitled Reimagining Resources– Buildings, materials and crafts. He was invited to join the panel discussion chaired by the RIBA president Muyiwa Oki focussed on Overcoming Retrofit and Reuse Project Constraints.

The RIBA symposium is an annual event attended architects and other built environment professionals. The RIBA invites experts in the field to discuss key issues facing the built environment. This year the RIBA joined with The Kings Foundation who are partnering together on an initiative to champion retrofit and promote the reuse of existing buildings. Over 80% of the building which will exist in 2050 have already been built. Improving the performance these buildings is essential to meeting global targets to reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming. The reuse of existing buildings also limits the amount of embodied carbon involved in constructing new buildings. The case for reusing buildings is overwhelming, however there are a range of technical, financial and legislative challenges which present themselves.

Kris Eley shared with the RIBA how Mitchell Eley Gould engage in early stage collaboration to overcome technical or policy constraints and deliver meaningful carbon savings. Kris offered expert insights on the persistent financial unknowns in reuse projects and issues which are commonly underestimated, and how these have been addressed on projects in the practice. He suggested changes in regulation, policy, and professional practice needed to help unlock the full potential of retrofit.

The event was held at The Glove Factory in Holt which Mitchell Eley Gould were the architects for. The building is recognised ‘one of Wiltshire’s finest examples of repurposing of a building…. a rural hub with an urban energy’ (RIBA).

Bath & North East Somerset social housing on site