My commitment to facilitating crucial conversations within the built environment has been a cornerstone of my professional focus for some time. A prime example of this was the panel I moderated at the Smart Buildings Show in October 2023, titled “Why is Retrofit Not Taken More Seriously in the Climate Change Conversation?” This session was a testament to the power of bringing diverse perspectives together to unpick complex challenges and find paths forward.

For this discussion, I convened a distinguished group of industry leaders: Fiona Sawkill (British Land’s Head of Digital Placemaking), Matthew Marson (Smart Building Magazine columnist and co-founder of Smart Building Bootcamp), Sanjaya Ranasinghe (WiredScore’s Global Director of R&D), Dan Drogman (CEO of Smart Spaces), and Jess Costanzo (Commercial Director at Simmtronic). This range of expertise ensured a rich diversity of opinion, crucial for exploring barriers and advocating for greater adoption of retrofit solutions. We delved into how retrofit extends beyond mere energy performance to encompass agility and workplace experience, and discussed the need for clearer terminology, advocating for “smart enablement” over large-scale refurbishment.

Key insights emerged around the importance of experimentation and learning from successful retrofits, challenging the perception that older buildings cannot be as ‘smart’ as new builds. The discussions also highlighted a persistent skills gap at the operational end, underscoring the need for greater investment in training and better employee engagement to overcome cultural resistance to digital transformation. The strength of these conversations lay in the varied viewpoints shared, which helped to uncover more comprehensive solutions.

Furthermore, we explored the complexities of retrofit strategies, acknowledging the varied nature of buildings and the financial considerations involved. The conversation touched upon the crucial role industry bodies could play in providing clearer guidance and fostering collaboration among rating bodies, particularly around sustainability and health and wellness.

Finally, the panel considered the often-overlooked potential of repurposing existing technology within buildings, rather than solely focusing on physical assets. This involves leveraging current infrastructure, like lighting, to create integrated smart solutions, a topic that continues to gain traction with advancements in edge innovation.

This session at the Smart Buildings Show was part of my sustained effort to drive industry dialogue and collaboration. It exemplifies how my strategic content creation and network leverage contribute to advancing critical industry narratives by ensuring all relevant perspectives are at the table.

For a deeper dive into the key talking points from this panel, you can read my accompanying article in Smart Buildings Magazine: Retrofit reasons to be cheerful