Sustainable office-to-residential transformation with innovative structural design
A project demonstrating how adaptive reuse and structural ingenuity can convert an office building into sustainable, high-quality apartments.
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Structural frame retention
Optimised material use
Vertical building extension
This project shows how careful assessment and innovative structural design can repurpose existing buildings while significantly reducing carbon impact.
Daniel Staines
Structural Engineer
Sustainable office-to-residential transformation with innovative structural design
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Structural frame retention
Optimised material use
Vertical building extension
Engineer:
This redevelopment project showcases how reuse engineering can deliver significant carbon savings while giving an existing building a new purpose.
Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the existing structural frame has been retained and repurposed to create new residential apartments. This approach avoids unnecessary waste and embodied carbon - in the UK, converting non-residential buildings for housing can achieve up to 34% savings in embodied carbon compared with full demolition and reconstruction.
Combining refurbishment with vertical extension required careful assessment of the existing structure and innovative design solutions to ensure safety, stability, and efficiency.
The result is a sustainable, coordinated design that maximises the potential of the existing building - a clear example of how reuse engineering can reduce environmental impact and redefine the future of urban development.
Focus Areas
REFEA’s work is guided by six core principles that drive sustainable structural and civil engineering - turning practical design decisions into low-carbon outcomes across East Anglia.
Reuse First
Prioritising existing structures and materials to reduce waste and embodied carbon.
Early Design Collaboration
Involving engineers early to embed sustainability from concept to construction.
Low-Carbon Materials
Specifying materials with lower embodied carbon and designing for material efficiency.
Circular Design Thinking
Designing for adaptability, longevity, and future reuse from the outset.
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Integrated Drainage Solutions
Embedding SuDS into civil engineering for sustainable, climate-resilient developments.
Practical Sustainability
Delivering buildable, cost-conscious solutions that meet real environmental targets.
Sustainable
structures
east anglia
As structural engineers, we have a unique opportunity to influence how the built environment responds to the climate crisis. Reuse isn't just about saving materials - it's about rethinking value, preserving what works, and designing with long-term resilience in mind. Through REFEA, we hope to make reuse a more practical and achievable option on projects across East Anglia by sharing knowledge, highlighting viable approaches, and supporting early-stage design decisions.
Mark Weston
Structural Engineer, JMS Engineers
Knowledge is key to sustainable change. Explore our latest insights and technical resources:
Path to a Low-Carbon Built Environment
The built environment contributes nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, much of it through construction and materials. In East Anglia, reducing embodied carbon is critical to meeting sustainability goals. By reusing structures, designing efficiently, and integrating low-impact civil solutions, we can reshape how the region builds - and lead the way towards a net zero future.