Mace Construct has marked the topping out of the Lasdun Wall at the University of East Anglia, a significant step in the multi-year renewal of the campus’s most recognisable Grade II-listed landmark.

The four-stage programme is reshaping the 1960s complex of four interlinked buildings, blending its modernist heritage with contemporary, low-carbon design to create a future-ready centre for world-class research, learning and discovery.

Phase one delivers upgrades to Building 3 to support science and teaching, while Buildings 4, 5 and 6 have remained fully operational to sustain UEA’s ongoing research activity.

Demonstrating circular retrofit at scale with a reuse-first approach, the project has already avoided more than 860 tonnes of CO₂e through onsite recovery of materials, including timber, with total savings projected at 2,092 tonnes. All non-hazardous construction waste has been diverted from landfill and 819 tonnes of recycled aggregates incorporated, monitored via live KPI dashboards.

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Where replacement has been essential — such as glazing — lower-energy alternatives have been installed, delivering an 85% improvement in thermal performance and saving an estimated 30 tonnes of operational carbon each year. Offsite-manufactured modular systems, designed for future disassembly, will help keep the building adaptable to future needs.

Alongside the environmental gains, Mace Construct says the programme is supporting hundreds of jobs and more than 10 apprenticeship opportunities, aligning with UEA’s aims to create long-term benefits for the local community.

Rob Lemming, Managing Director for Public Sector and Life Sciences at Mace Construct, said: "Reaching the topping out of Lasdun Wall demonstrates the real progress being made, and the strength of our collaborative approach with UEA and the wider project team. Retrofitting this landmark building to modern standards while driving down carbon, preserving its architectural character, and maintaining continuity of campus activity is an incredibly ambitious undertaking.

"This milestone reflects both the team's skills and determination, and our long-term commitment to the region - supporting local jobs, delivering community impact, and strengthening our ongoing presence across the campus and its neighbouring area. We’re delighted to celebrate this achievement and look forward to shaping the next phases of this transformative programme."