The launch of the new BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Commercial V7 standard highlights a growing industry focus on making better use of existing buildings. Among the projects featured in BREEAM's latest film is 38 Finsbury Square, a workplace refurbishment that demonstrates how retention, adaptation and targeted enhancement can deliver long-term environmental and commercial value.

27 October 2026

Located within a prominent City of London context, the project reflects an approach that prioritises the continued use of existing assets while creating high-quality spaces that meet contemporary occupier expectations. Rather than pursuing wholesale redevelopment, the refurbishment was centred on unlocking the potential of the existing building, reducing embodied carbon through retention and improving performance where it matters most.

As part of the film, TateHindle Director Sarah Brown discusses the thinking behind the project and the role refurbishment can play in the transition to a lower-carbon built environment. The conversation explores how sustainability-led decision-making informed the design process from the outset, helping to balance environmental responsibility with commercial viability.

The project demonstrates the opportunities presented by thoughtful refurbishment. By retaining and enhancing significant elements of the existing structure, the design minimises the carbon impacts associated with demolition and new construction while delivering a workplace equipped for future needs. The result is a building that responds to evolving patterns of use, supports occupier wellbeing and contributes to broader sustainability objectives.

As the industry continues to address the challenges of decarbonisation, projects such as 38 Finsbury Square illustrate the value of looking first at what already exists. Refurbishment is increasingly recognised not as a compromise, but as a strategic route to extending building life, reducing environmental impact and creating places that remain relevant for years to come.

Read more about the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Commercial V7 standard and watch the film here: https://breeam.com/standards/r...