Net Zero Through Retrofit: Applying the UK NZC Buildings Standard to Your Existing Building Stock

NowtHaus: Beyond HVAC

Is it possible to remove mechanical heating and cooling systems entirely while still providing comfort? Buildings today are increasingly designed around mechanical systems rather than people. Comfort is routinely solved through equipment, driving complexity, cost and carbon. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems alone can account for over 15% of construction budgets, often exceeding the cost of the façade, while remaining energy-intensive to operate and carbon-hungry to manufacture and maintain. * How far can design intelligence  go before mechanical systems are truly required?  * What do people actually need to feel comfortable? Challenging the practice of designing for rare climatic extremes that dictate system size for the entire year, and by understanding how temperature, air movement and adaptive comfort interact, NowtHaus explores buildings that perform naturally year-round. The outcome is a passive office building with no conventional heating or cooling. Peak heating loads remain below 5 W/m², allowing internal gains to maintain winter comfort, while natural ventilation and thermal mass regulate summer conditions. The team behind the concept will demonstrate how this approach simplifies construction and reduces cost. Chairperson Claire Racine, Head of Sustainability - Ramboll UK [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/claire-racine] Speakers Peter Fisher, Director - Bennetts Associates [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/peter-fisher] William Allen, Sustainability Engineer - Ramboll UK [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/william-allen] Phil Clark, Head of Cost Management - CPC Project Services [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/phil-clark]

What if we already know how to design regeneratively?

Much to the annoyance of linguists, Will Arnold argues that regenerative design is a verb, not a noun. It's a process we can all follow - on any project - to move us closer to the goal of doing more good with construction, rather than just minimising harm.  In this keynote, Will will share a simple process he has developed to anchor all the amazing innovations, processes and mindsets that exist in industry today, and draw them together into a regenerative approach to building design and construction.  Learning from examples taken from across the industry, see how his three pillars of systems thinking - place, time and influence - can be combined to create buildings that heal our planet.  Speakers Will Arnold, Head of Sustainable Materials - Useful Simple Trust [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/will-arnold] Imandeep Kaur, Director of Mission + Strategy - CIVIC SQUARE [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/imandeep-kaur] Guy Rochez, Associate Director - TOWN [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/guy-rochez]

Heat pumps and improved EPC ratings: Making them fit for purpose

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have shaped the non-domestic built environment since their introduction in 2008 and, despite ongoing criticism, are clearly here to stay. While EPCs are often challenged for relying on simplified and sometimes outdated assumptions, overlooking factors such as heritage constraints and offering only a broad view of building performance, they continue to exert significant influence on investor confidence, tenant demand and asset value. This session explores whether EPCs are the right tool to drive progress towards net zero and, crucially, how they can be used more effectively.  Panel members will discuss how EPC assessments are approached in practice, the transformative impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and recommended pathways for ongoing improvement. The discussion will cover practical measures to improve ratings, including the role of commercial heat pumps, and the differing levels of retrofit required to reach target ratings. Real-world case studies will demonstrate how office buildings can be upgraded from EPC ‘E’ to ‘A’ or ‘B’, contrasting deep retrofits in vacant buildings with the challenges of working in occupied spaces. Chairperson Chris Newman, Zero Carbon Design Manager - Mitsubishi Electric [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/chris-newman] Speakers Les Lang, Partner - Till Asset Management [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/les-lang] Simon Smith, Director - Vital Direct [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/simon-smith] Nazli Dabidian, Head of Energy and Decarbonisation - Nova Ambiente [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/nazli-dabidian]

Rethinking Cat A: Reducing waste in commercial fit out

Workplace Futures Group shine a light on the impact of CAT A fitouts within construction. The session will provide real world data on the impact of CAT A fitouts, reviewing waste, carbon and cost impacts created in the move from landlord to tenant ownership. The panel will also discuss examples of ways our design and site teams can reduce their impact, and showcase the innovative new technologies which also may be the answer for CAT A waste. Chairperson Iain McIlwee, CEO - Finishes and interiors Sector [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/iain-mcilwee] Speakers Matt Robinson, Head of Sustainability - Workplace Futures Group [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/matt-robinson] Alex Fitzpatrick, Head of Sustainability - Helical [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/alex-fitzpatrick] Dom Benzecry, Head of Digital Innovation - Mytr [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/dom-benzecry]

Circular Aluminium: Closed loops and the future of retrofit

Respecting materials is essential to credible circularity in construction yet current legislation fails to demand low-carbon or post-consumer metals. This gap is expected to close as policy evolves but progress on such regulation is slow. Using the example of a central London office retrofit this discussion will focus on the principles that shaped its low‑carbon strategy, the successes and learnings. The discussion explores why respecting materials is essential to credible circularity, and how current legislation fails to demand low‑carbon or post‑consumer metals; a gap expected to close as policy evolves. The panel will cover the challenges of downcycling, particularly where, once downcycled, aluminium alloys can never be upcycled again, and the need to maintain high material quality, highlighting the importance of closing the loop, reducing waste and treating metal as a resource we are all responsible for stewarding.  Chairperson Martyn Wright, Project Consultant - TECHNAL [https://www.technal.com/en-uk/commercial] Speakers Sarah Keetch, Senior Sustainable Design Specialist - Orms [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/sarah-keetch] Will Jarrett-Kerr, Director - Opera [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/jarrett-kerr] Helen Collarbone, Group Sustainability and Systems Associate Director - Deconstruct UK [https://www.footprintplus.com/speakers/helen-collarbone]