Running from 2015 to 2019, the iconic BAMB project was highly effective at raising awareness and developing new knowledge. This included work on  Materials Passports, Reversible Building Design, Business Models, and the development of Circular Building Assessment (CBA) approaches for the evaluation of circular building scenarios. The Reusefully team was involved from inception to completion, including leading the application of research work package and as members of the technical co-ordination team. The BAMB work was developed further in the EU’s CIRCuIT project.

Whilst at BRE, the Reusefully team developed an outline methodology to assess the deconstruction potential of new build projects, funded by the BRE Trust. The methodology involved a combination of checklists and a scoring approach related to a number of criteria, making use of information from design drawings and project specifications. Consequently, an overall deconstruction potential score is obtained for a residential building. The methodology was applied to a number of case studies including two modular constructions and a more traditional brick and block, and an office building and a ski-slope construction. 

We have worked with the Green Construction Board, part of the Construction Leadership Council, for a number of years as part of their Resources and Waste Subgroup. We have co-authored the Zero Avoidable Waste (ZAW) In Construction working interpretation and the Zero Avoidable Waste Route Map working with industry and Government. The Route Map provides 106 actions for the 2020s, 30s and 40s on how to reach ZAW in the construction sector by 2050 focusing on key themes related to the construction lifecycle. Each theme has a context, providing a summary of what has happened and what else needs to happen. Guidance is also included for each theme.

This recently finished project has helped to develop new policies across the EU in support of the transition to a circular built environment. 30 policy case studies from across Europe and OECD countries have been evaluated in combination with stakeholder surveys, workshops and interviews to develop a number of policy options to be considered for further development over the next few years, such as better data at product level to support whole life circular design, development of further Green Public Procurement requirements, further planning and funding requirements, and revision of Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.

Whilst at BRE, we worked closely with innovative architectural practice 3XN on the proposed redevelopment of  British Land's 2-3 Finsbury Avenue in Broadgate, London. We undertook a detailed pre-demolition audit encompassing all layers of the building, providing information on material quantities with location and suitability for reuse, recycling and recycling. An embodied carbon assessment was also undertaken. A reuse strategy was produced which provided details information for elements that could be reused or repurposed in the new development in innovative ways   

This commission from the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Pipes Group was to undertake a study to provide their members with a better understanding of circular economy and where plastic pipes fit in with it, together with identifying current activities, gaps and recommendations for future work. This also included interpreting the circular economy landscape in terms of regulatory, policy and other drivers. Recommendations were provided by construction stage, with types of application and circular economy principles. This involved desk-based research and interviews with key stakeholders.  ar.