About this Event
The CAA Sustainability Conference 2026 will explore the adaptation and reuse of existing buildings, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of reducing carbon emissions while extending the life of our building stock. Through case studies from architects, retrofit specialists, local authorities and conservation experts, the conference will examine domestic retrofit, council-led housing improvements, sustainable refurbishment and the adaptation of historic buildings.
The afternoon will include audience questions, discussion and networking opportunities with speakers and fellow attendees.
For the 4th year running, the conference is held at The Entopia Building, an award-winning example of deep sustainable retrofit and an ideal setting for discussions on the future of adapting and reusing existing buildings. (The building, as you would expect, has step-free access and is fully accessible.)
Agenda
14.00 - 14.10: Patrick Usborne, Chair, Cambridge Association of Architects
Setting the Scene - Welcome & introductions
14.10 – 14.35: Mellis Howard (Founding Director, Archio)
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Becontree Estate Retrofit is tackling the retrofit of 27,000 century-old homes to be ‘fit for the future’, through scalable, people-centred solutions tackling fuel poverty, carbon emissions and outdated layouts—creating warmer, healthier homes for generations to come.
14.35 – 15.00: Paul Kershaw (Training & Home Energy Advisor, Cambridge Retrofit Hub)
Creating a "one-stop shop" approach to domestic retrofit and accelerating the transition to low-carbon homes in Cambridge.
15.00 - 15.25: Paula Mejia-Wright (Director, MCW Architects)
Portugal Place & practical lessons from adapting existing buildings, including internal wall insulation, airtightness, AECB certification and air source heat pump implementation.
15.25 – 15.40: Tea break and chat
15.40 – 16.05: Natalie Bailey (Net Zero Retrofit Project Officer, Cambridge City Council)
Challenges of delivering whole house retrofit in occupied 1930’s council homes, from both a practical and human perspective. Summary of lessons learnt to date including resident feedback and early monitoring results.
16.05 – 16.30: Zoe Skelding (Partner, Purcell)
Exploring how historic and listed buildings can be sensitively adapted for modern use, including regional case studies and guidance on making the environmental case for adaptation and reuse when seeking Listed Building Consent.
16.30 – 17.00: Panel Q&A
17.00 – 18.00: Drinks and conversations
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, cakes and fruit will be available during the break and during the networking afterwards.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Entopia Building, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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