Re-Use is a big deal.

This chapter focuses on the re-use of materials in the construction sector, reconsidering the wasteful practices of the recent past in the light of current supply problems triggered by climate-induced natural disasters, pandemics and war. While current regulatory and policy frameworks still hinder circular economy approaches to design and construction in the UK, there are now many impressive examples in Europe of a shift to reuse in contemporary architectural practice. In this more positive response to the climate emergency, buildings are treated as ‘material banks’ and redesigned for reuse into the future, in this way dramatically reducing their whole life ‘carbon footprints’. Architects and their associated supply chain need to become ‘urban miners’ - to re-work/ re-use previously made buildings, components, and material sources.