New buildings can represent more than 50% of its total life cycle emissions (Lützkendorf & Balouktsi, 2022). Therefore, reduce embodied carbon is a fundamental step towards meeting the Net Zero targets defined worldwide. Since 80% of buildings that will exist in 2050 have been already built (Blanco, Engel, Imhort, Ribeirinho, & Sjödin, 2021), it is imperative that we make the most of the materials already in existence, this is a real-life challenge. Reuse of construction materials is the most energy-efficient solution for a circular economy, ensuring material value is preserved as long as possible (Wang, Regel, Debacker, Michiels, & Vanderheyden, 2018). The world’s population and economic growth triggered an increase demand of natural resources during the last century (Krausmann, et al., 2009). By accelerating material reuse in construction, we are able to minimise the extraction and production of virgin materials, reduce the embodied carbon of construction, reduce construction waste and extend lifecycle of the materials.
In this presentation we will present different initiatives to accelerate material reuse in construction and how these are being delivered by different stakeholders across AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) Industry. In parallel, we will explain how these initiatives inform the delivery of our BA(Hons)Architecture programme and we will highlight the importance of establishing strong links between academia and practice to better prepare our graduates for their future professional challenges.