Newsletter

Our ESG impact

The built environment accounts for 40% of global carbon emissions. At DSP, we believe it is our responsibility to mitigate our impact and model industry best practices.

We are proud to share that the 2025 re-audit revealed a promising 46% emissions reduction – an efficiency which has the added benefit of reducing costs for our customers. This was driven by installing monitoring equipment to provide real-time 24/7 data, allowing us to optimise building performance and drastically reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, our internal ‘Greenbuild Guidelines’ ensure sustainability at every RIBA stage, with recent projects averaging an ‘Excellent’ 78.5% rating.

Our commitment extends to our circular economy principles and community. Through CollectEco, we’ve donated £125,000 in surplus furniture to UK charities and not-for-profits, diverting 31,520kg of waste from landfills. Locally, we continue to support King Solomon Academy, providing speed-networking and career insights to inspire the next generation of real estate professionals.

As always, we are thinking about the full scope of ESG – how our work is creating a tangible and positive impact on our community and the planet. While the path to improvement is rarely linear, our progress to date is encouraging and gives us hope for what comes next.

A landmark building steeped in heritage

31-37 Duke Street carries a rich legacy of craft, couture and dressmaking. Adjacent to the site of the 1915 Barrett Street Trade School – the precursor to the London College of Fashion – it was a hub where students mastered their skills before the site was lost to WWII bombing and rebuilt in the 1950s.

An example of Retrofit First, Not Retrofit Only, extensive feasibility studies have concluded that the three existing structures do not meet adequate standards for fire safety, accessibility or energy performance. Therefore DSP is bringing forward a comprehensive redevelopment, unlocking the site's full potential while drawing on the best of its past.

The exceptional design by Stiff+Trevillion Architects will deliver an elegant landmark building fit for the 21st century. The proposals include a significant uplift in best-in-class office space – including new biodiverse green spaces on the top two levels – alongside an enlivened street frontage housing flexible retail units on all three sides of the site. Circular economy principles are embedded throughout: material reclamation and reuse will animate the facades with 'pleats' and 'folds' inspired by the site’s dressmaking heritage, while also reducing solar gain.

Positive change for International Women’s Day

Our Project Architect Alice Lawson Baker and Asset Manager Tarryn Coles joined Baker Street Quarter Partnership’s International Women’s Day Lunch at Home House. Taking inspiration from the 2026 theme of #GiveToGain, the talks highlighted how sharing knowledge, opportunities and leadership can drive meaningful impact for women across our organisations and communities.

At the same time, our Development Director Nicola Hawkins joined a panel for the launch of The Circle Academy 2026. Having volunteered with the program since 2022, Nicola and panel members shared their experience supporting mentees from within the built environment and discussed the importance of nurturing future female leaders.

Beyond these events, our Give to Gain support continues: Managing Director Tim Reade and Senior Project Architect Laura Walton are participating in mentoring schemes to support the next generation of built environment professionals, while the wider team takes part in our professional development programme for young people in north Westminster – we can't wait to share more on this soon.

Making a mark on history

Continuing the fashion theme of our building news, this month we’re recommending the V&A display Lasting Impressions: Women Printmakers 1900 – Now. It showcases the bold visions of 25 trailblazing artists – from the intricate techniques of Käthe Kollwitz to the vibrant, narrative works of Faith Ringgold – who each used the medium of print to leave a permanent mark on design history.