Former IBM building at 76 Southbank, London: a blueprint for adaptive reuse and addressing insurance risks with materials science

The adaptive reuse of 76 Southbank, London, formerly the IBM building, presents a compelling case study in overcoming the challenges of refurbishing iconic structures to meet modern sustainability, economic and social demands. Faced with the need to retain much of the original structure, the project team implemented innovative methods in materials science and engineering, including the reuse of structural elements, to reduce the building’s carbon dioxide footprint while meeting conservation standards. This paper shares key lessons from the project, demonstrating how materials science can alleviate uncertainty for building owners and insurers. By rigorously assessing the in situ strength of retained materials and using advanced techniques like reused steel and foundation adaptation, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable refurbishment. The authors suggest that these methods can lower the barriers to adaptive reuse, effectively enabling more projects of this kind. In doing so, this approach responds to pressing economic and social drivers, such as high sustainability demands, rising costs and the need for functional, environmentally responsible spaces. By adopting these strategies, insurers and engineers can better support building owners, unlocking the potential for more sustainable urban renewal.