BDP heritage expert joins our 'Retrofit and Renewal' forum

Image of Christopher Burton courtesy of BDP

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Christopher Burton, Architect Director in BDP's London Studio, is contributing to our 'Retrofit and Renewal' discussion event at the new offices of Buro Happold.

Christopher has successfully led high profile workplace, residential and cultural projects, developing extensive experience of working on refurbishment schemes. He is often sought out to give specialist advice to projects within a geographical and politically sensitive setting that require buildings to be knitted back into the urban fabric. Christopher worked previously at Eric Parry Architects, where his projects included the successful master-plan for the reorganisation of St Martin-in-the-Fields church.  He also worked on 11 Belgrave Road and 9 Millbank, ensuring those existing buildings continue to evolve and adapt for cultural, commercial, and residential use.

He is working on the Northern Estate Programme which comprises the refurbishment and development of multiple Grade I, II and II* listed buildings in Whitehall that provide office space for the House of Commons. Key buildings include Norman Shaw North and South, 1 Derby Gate, 1 Parliament Street and 1 Canon Row.

The programme of refurbishment is necessary to ensure continued security and flexibility of accommodation for the government and addresses poor environmental performance, improves fire safety requirements in order to abide by regulations, enhanced access and circulation, integrated technology and upgraded building fabrics, mechanical and electrical services, workspace, amenities and conference facilities.

Christopher is supporting BDP teams across a range of projects within the London studio to broaden the discussion around adaptive reuse of our existing building stock, particularly in the context of heritage buildings and the shared expertise and knowledge of working within this sphere could be applied to all buildings that currently exist.

He advocates for the importance of an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to our existing built environment, to leverage the best outcomes for our buildings, urban communities, and wider environment.

BDP's heritage work also includes the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme, which has been established to tackle the significant work that needs to be done to protect and preserve the heritage of the Palace of Westminster and ensure it can continue to serve as home to the UK Parliament in the 21st century.

The Grade I listed palace dates from the mid-1800s and is now one of the most iconic and significant buildings in the world, and forms part of the UNESCO Westminster World Heritage Site.

Many features and systems have never undergone major renovation, and the heating, ventilation, water, drainage and electrical systems are extremely antiquated.

BDP was awarded the full interdisciplinary contract for client advisory services to help ensure the safe and secure future of the building. Restoration work will include repairing and replacing the palace's mechanical and electrical services, fire safety improvements, the removal of asbestos plus unnecessary accretions, and stone repairs to the external and internal fabric of the palace. The building will be made fully accessible with new educational facilities provided.

Below: image from BDP showing Northern Estate buildings in relation to Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster