Existing Building Consulting | Smarter, Sustainable Solutions

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We’re helping our clients reuse their existing buildings through creative design, technological expertise and our passion to change the world for the better.

Around 80% of the world’s buildings will still be here in 2050. There is a huge opportunity to reuse them to reduce carbon emissions and save resources, while increasing their resilience to climate change and maximizing their social, commercial and environmental impact. But there are also challenges, from the size and scale of the task to the ingenuity and ambition needed to make it happen.

Our people are at the forefront of building transformation – helping to change people’s mindset from “I need a new building” to “how can I reuse an existing one?”. Reimagining the built environment we already have to create high-performing, efficient, future-proof buildings, rooted in the culture and history of the neighborhoods they belong to.

"Ingenuity and collaboration between asset owners, the construction industry and the supply chain is critical to decarbonize and create better buildings and places for people. The imperative is to modernize our existing buildings and take advantage of smart digital solutions to minimize the whole life carbon of these assets."

Tom Smith
Global Director, Property and Buildings

Our expertise

Heritage

Throughout the world, heritage buildings and sites symbolize our shared journey through the ages. The challenge is how to preserve and respect their historic and cultural significance, while meeting the needs of modern building users and a future net zero economy. We work with clients across the public and private sectors to renovate and repurpose heritage buildings, preserve and protect archaeological sites and retrofit new solutions – including energy-efficient building services and the latest digital technologies.

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Adaptive reuse

Existing buildings that were designed for a specific purpose, but are no longer needed, or are at risk of becoming stranded assets, can often be redesigned for something different to reflect the changes in our shopping, leisure and business habits. Our specialist engineers, designers and heritage advisors help clients assess the opportunities for their existing buildings and transform them for the next generation – creating exciting new places for people to live, work and enjoy using the architecture that’s already there.

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Refurbishment

Reusing and retrofitting existing buildings will save both embodied and operational carbon and aid in climate adaptation. Our multidisciplinary teams help building owners refurbish and future proof their assets to meet new standards and market expectations. From renovating exteriors and interiors and maximizing floorspace, to upgrading building services and optimizing operational performance throughout a building’s lifetime.

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Portfolio decarbonization

The built environment needs to modernize, adapt and decarbonize to stay Future Ready. The challenge for asset owners and managers is how to do it at speed and scale while maximizing return on investment and minimizing disruption. We have developed a structured, data-led approach to decarbonize existing building portfolios. From identifying which assets have the most decarbonization potential, to the interventions that will have the maximum benefit and a roadmap to follow. Together, we’re helping our clients achieve their science-based targets, attract green investors and meet society’s evolving needs.

Discover our existing buildings’ work

New York, USA

Tiffany & Co. - The Landmark

Award-winning renovation of Tiffany & Co.’s flagship Manhattan store.

New York, USA

Rubin Hall at New York University

From a century-old hotel to a climate-friendly space for student life, Rubin Hall showcases what’s possible through a sustainable transformation of an existing historic building.

Montréal, Canada

National Bank Place

Located at 800 Saint-Jacques, National Bank Place defines sustainable building design while adding a striking addition to the Montréal skyline.

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Montréal, Canada

600 rue de la Gauchetière

WSP turns a 1980s curtain wall into a high-performance marvel, keeping carbon neutral goals front and center for this landmark building in downtown Montréal.

Stockholm, Sweden

Sollentuna Hospital

Behind an old façade, a facility for the future

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New York, USA

Barclays Center, New York

Barclays Center, a 18,000-seat arena in Brooklyn, New York, is the home of several professional sports franchises: the National Basketball Association’s Brooklyn Nets, the Women’s National Basketball Association’s New York Liberty and the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. At 680,000 gross square feet, the arena hosts large-scale events from sports to music to fine art and more.