20th February 2020

JRA joins Architects’ Journal’s RetroFirst campaign

JRA has joined Architects’ Journal’s RetroFirst campaign, adding to a growing list of supporters from across the construction industry to advocate for the reuse of existing buildings. The campaign was launched at AJ’s annual Retrofit Awards, and calls for a major reduction in embodied carbon emissions by encouraging refurbishment via government policy and professionals’ commitment. The campaign is a response to the climate emergency.

The practice is backing the campaign alongside prominent organisations including the UK Green Building Council, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Twentieth Century Society, as well as a number of architecture practices.

JRA has a strong track record of reuse and retrofit, with recent projects including Bureau at 90 Fetter Lane, 51 Moorgate, and Great Arthur House demonstrating the potential of existing buildings to compete with new builds by offering excellent sustainability credentials and contemporary design and amenities. The practice’s work in this area is supported by in-house Head of Sustainability Colin Beattie, who is able to offer Life Cycle Assessments to identify opportunities for reuse and carbon reduction.