Let’s talk about interiors: Retrofit must go further than just building structure and embrace creative reuse

Simon Bird LOM 2

Designers should see it as a responsibility to reuse what is already there - including furniture, says Simon Bird, director at LOM architecture and design

In some ways, the shift in understanding and tone around the retrofit conversation has been extraordinary. It is great to see architects, clients and investors looking seriously at what they can save and reuse when upgrading and developing buildings.

But often the conversation is purely focused on building structures – steel, glass, brick and concrete that have high carbon footprints, and should be preserved and reimagined where possible. But we shouldn’t stop there – change needs to be holistic and we need to consider all finishes and materials that go inside buildings.

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