We need to push boundaries in repurposing existing buildings
Muyiwa Oki is President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). An architect at construction consultancy Mace Group, he has worked on major large-scale infrastructure projects from HS2 Euston to the North London heat and power project. He is also an advocate for change, founding and chairing the Multi-Ethnic Group and Allies network and driving cultural change for colleagues globally.
Here, Muyiwa discusses changes in the built environment, sharing his vision to empower architects to push boundaries and address the challenges inherent in future design.
We’re in an era of change, and the new Government signifies a fresh start and a new chapter for our country. One of its key priorities will be housing and the wider built environment – sectors where significant change are needed.
As President of RIBA, I’m dedicated to ensuring architects are at the forefront of this transformation. Our profession must lead the charge in sharing best practices and creating the much-needed new homes and buildings that truly serve the needs of our communities.
The rise of the ‘community whisperer’
I believe architects have a role as "community whisperers" – something we should cherish because it will help us understand the social relevance of spaces and places. As catalysts for change, architects can bridge the gap between regeneration companies and local communities, translating data into design, and ensuring our built environment meets the evolving needs of society.
Much of this can be achieved by seeking to retrofit and reuse existing space – something at the heart of my RIBA Presidency manifesto. We know that many of the buildings we will use in the UK over the next 30 years already exist so we should be making these structures robust and suitable for a net zero world.
Successful regeneration and the refurbishment of existing assets at scale requires long-term thinking. If more stakeholders adopt a commitment to enduring, impactful outcomes, we can create more sustainable places and cities.
Where do we start?
Cities are often the ideal starting point for urban regeneration efforts, with numerous international examples demonstrating how revitalisation in urban centres can ripple out to positively impact suburbs.
Post-1989 Germany is one such case study: following the fall of the Berlin Wall, Eastern cities like Leipzig were initially neglected and rundown, but targeted urban regeneration initiatives soon sparked a broader revival that extended beyond city limits.
Focusing initially on high-density urban environments where people already reside allows for more immediate impact. From there, scaling efforts collaboratively can amplify these effects and spread regeneration benefits across broader regions.
New uses, not just new buildings
There are other pressing challenges, notably the UK’s finite carbon budget, which means that meeting government housing targets will be a challenge. It highlights the importance of retrofit, bringing empty buildings back into use and exploring sustainable adaptations.
Ambitious international examples provide valuable insights – places like Malmö's Western Harbour area, where strategic regeneration has revitalised a once-decaying industrial zone into an appealing urban district within a sustainable framework. Newly constructed homes are complemented by repurposed former industrial buildings serving as essential community amenities for residents.
What is good design?
Ultimately, good design, and therefore architecture is about how spaces resonate with people. It must result in high-quality, well-designed environments that profoundly impact and elevate everyday experiences. Take the example in Sweden, where thoughtfully planned neighbourhoods foster a higher quality of life through convenience, connectivity, and abundant green spaces. Such design fosters cohesive, tight-knit communities.
It’s essential that we embrace these principles as we confront future challenges. As architects, we need to push the boundaries in repurposing existing buildings and land, to create well-designed places where everyone can live.
By doing so, we can meet the needs of not only the next generation, but those beyond. If I had one piece of advice for anyone it would be to promote this agenda, and continue creating great places in which people can live, work and play.
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