Project innovation of the year – large-scale retrofit

Ridge has developed a pioneering retrofit delivery system that transforms how large-scale decarbonisation projects are managed. Instead of relying on rigid, off-the-shelf software, Ridge used low-code cloud-based platform Airtable to build a fully tailored, project-specific digital system.

Developed collaboratively by Ridge’s digital engineering and building surveying teams, this solution is designed to meet each project’s exact needs – reducing inefficiencies, simplifying training and enhancing productivity. Its system automates data capture and provides real-time reporting, helping to ensure a more rapid progression through project gateways and reporting milestones. This means projects can proceed more quickly, which in turn means clients are more likely to meet government grant deadlines. It also reduces the need for in-person meetings, saving the carbon emissions associated with travel. The system’s flexible design uses custom e-forms, live dashboards and document interfaces to match each project’s unique requirements. Now being deployed across all retrofit work, Ridge plans to extend the model to other service lines.

Future iterations will integrate drone and laser scanning, reducing site visits and accelerating pre-construction processes while cutting carbon even further.

The judges said:

“This one’s a quiet revolution. Rather than force a retrofit programme into a clunky off-the-shelf system, Ridge built a bespoke digital platform that does exactly what’s needed — no more, no less”