2026 AGENDA

Energy performance is where the net-zero retrofit challenge will be won  but only if ambition is matched by delivery. Using Tower Bridge Court (TBC.London) as a live case study, this panel explores how one of London’s first all-electric, net-zero carbon retrofit workplaces translated energy ambition into measurable operational performance through building systems.

Bringing together the developer, architect and engineering perspectives, the discussion examines how energy targets were defined early, embedded into design, and delivered in practice. From all-electric strategy and operational energy performance to embodied carbon reduction and occupier wellbeing, the panel focuses on the decisions that mattered  and the trade-offs that shaped the outcome.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have shaped the non-domestic built environment since their introduction in 2008....

 

Investor approaches to greening real assets span a wide spectrum—from doing the bare minimum to comply with regulation, to deep retrofits...

Respecting materials is essential to credible circularity in construction yet current legislation fails to demand low-carbon or post-consumer metals...

Regenerative design is increasingly discussed across the built environment sector, yet it is often unclear what it means and how it differs from other sustainability practices...

Workplace Futures Group shine a light on the impact of CAT A fit outs within construction...

The Portman Estate’s relocation of its head office to One Great Cumberland Place presented an exciting opportunity to reimagine the workplace....

171 Victoria Street is an iconic 412,000 ft² redevelopment and a good example of how sustainability has become core investment risk management, not an add-on...

Vast quantities of post-consumer glass from commercial buildings are still lost to landfill due to contamination, logistics, and cost barriers...

Is it possible to remove mechanical heating and cooling systems entirely while still providing comfort?

1 Victoria Street transforms a historically layered building into a sustainable, future-focused workplace destination...

In a volatile and uncertain market, the underwriting process is often undertaken when limited information is available about the true cost and risk implications...

The retrofit of Broadgate Tower reimagines a key building in one of London’s iconic office estates. Originally completed in 2008, the project aims to deliver a best-in-class, sustainable workplace that responds to its unique location between Shoreditch and the City, while retaining the tower’s architectural prominence. Central to the scheme is a strong sustainability philosophy rooted in retention and reuse. 

The project incorporates reused steelwork, cross-laminated timber slabs and reused internal finishes, reducing embodied carbon to a minimum. An all-electric services strategy targets net-zero carbon in operation, with 100% renewable energy, biodiversity gain, the project is on target for BREEAM Outstanding and Well Platinum ratings.

The architectural approach strengthens the building’s relationship to the ground through active frontages, improved accessibility and vibrant public spaces. Across 14 refurbished floors and a three-storey extension, the project introduces flexible, biophilic workplaces, market-leading amenities and enhanced end-of-trip facilities. Broadgate Tower demonstrates how refurbishment can deliver sustainability, connectivity and long-term value at scale.

As the industry accelerates towards low‑carbon delivery, the tension between cost and carbon is reshaping project value...

Supply chains are often viewed as cold, transactional systems, yet behind every product is a chain of people, decisions and impacts: the ‘warm’ supply chain. This session explores the art of storytelling in supply chains, reframing them as human networks that stretch from raw material to finished product. By understanding and sharing these stories, organisations can better recognise the social impacts—both positive and negative—embedded across a product’s lifecycle. The session will show how identifying and communicating these narratives can strengthen accountability, improve social outcomes and create shared value. 

Retrofitting commercial buildings is essential to reducing energy use and carbon emissions, yet delivering viable projects remains complex due to regional differences...

In shallow and illiquid markets, developers face a distinct challenge: how to future-proof existing assets while protecting returns and maintaining flexibility in the business plan...

Beginning with the IoD PBE’s usual 'Quarterly Economic Update', this panel session will explore how our push toward net zero creates...