Building for the future: how tech and teamwork drive sustainable retrofitting

A virtual roundtable, hosted by Building in partnership with Bluebeam, brought together engineering, construction, and digital experts—including Anna Hunter, Technical Director at NG Bailey—to explore how emerging technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration can advance retrofit efforts and make the sector more sustainable.

At the roundtable, Anna Hunter highlighted the critical need for tools that facilitate cross-disciplinary integration. 

“The real power of technology lies in its ability to bring everyone – engineers, architects, contractors, and clients – onto the same page,” Anna said. 

She advocated for platforms enabling real-time collaboration, allowing teams to address challenges dynamically as they emerge. 

From an MEP perspective, Anna shed light on the inherent trade-offs in retrofitting. 

“There’s always a trade-off between what’s possible within a building’s constraints and what’s economically viable,” she explained. 

The complexities of retrofitting, such as evaluating bespoke equipment or custom solutions, often complicate carbon calculations. While vertical systems or steel frameworks may have clearer carbon profiles, other elements require more nuanced assessments. 

“The tools we use for operational carbon assessments need to be expanded to account for these complexities,” Anna concluded. 

The discussion underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving sustainable transformation across the built environment.