Award
Brooks Road Estate shortlisted for the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards

Posted 6 August 2025

Twenty-one years ago, Bell Phillips began with a winning design for the retrofit of Brooks Road Estate with the London Borough of Newham. Working with residents in situ, we upgraded 230 homes, cutting operational energy and heating costs by over 50%, saving residents an estimated £1 million, and reducing estate-wide carbon emissions by 11,400 tonnes.

Completed in five phases between 2004 and 2010, the project was ahead of its time and remains remarkably aligned with today’s net-zero targets. It was an early demonstration of retrofit’s potential to deliver cost-effective, low-maintenance and long-life improvements. The project enhanced environmental performance while retaining and strengthening an established community.

Brooks Road continues to showcase the long-term value of well-executed retrofit. Read our 20-year review with the NLA: Brooks Road Estate Retrofit: 20 Years On

We’re proud to see it recognised again and to continue refining our approach with our practice specialists Sean Kitchen (PAS 2035 Coordinator) and Sasha Swannell (Passivhaus and Sustainability Designer) as core members of the team.