From Principles to Practice DIGITAL

APPROACH 4 Embed accountability and legitimacy within the re-use market to cultivate broader buy-in and cross-sector participation Ensuring accountability, liability and legitimacy within the re-use market is essential for driving broader cross-sec- tor participation and investment. Establishing integrated frameworks and supporting tools will be critical to scal- ing material re-use while maintaining quality, safety and compliance. This could include creating a dedicated oversight entity responsible for certifying reclaimed materials, ensuring traceability and enforcing industry standards. Material tracking systems, internationally rec- ognized certifications and liability-sharing mechanisms can further help guarantee the reliability of re-used mate- rials, giving developers, contractors and policy-makers the confidence to invest in circular construction. Additionally, policies that assign greater responsibility to manufacturers – such as extended producer responsibil- ity (EPR) policies that shift accountability to manufacturers, requiring them to take ownership of a material’s entire life cycle from recovery to re-use – can incentivize design for disassembly, durability and recyclability, ensuring materi- als remain in circulation longer. Embedding these principles within re-use frameworks, certification systems and mate- rial tracking tools can help create a more transparent, efficient and trustworthy re-use market where environ- mental responsibility is shared across the value chain. EDGE OLYMPIC Developed by EDGE Real Estate, EDGE Olympic in Amsterdam is a leading example of circular construction, using materials passports to track and catalogue build- ing materials for future re-use. Developed in partnership with Madaster, this system ensures that materials within the building are treated as valuable assets rather than waste. By integrating digital tracking, EDGE Olympic ena- bles easy reclamation and repurposing of components at the end of their life cycle, reducing embodied carbon and construction waste. This approach demonstrates how material passports can drive sustainable urban devel- opment, supporting a circular built environment that prioritizes resource efficiency and long-term resilience. THE CIRCULAR BUILDING The Circular Building in London exemplifies circular construction by prioritizing material re-use, traceability and disassembly. Developed in collaboration with Arup, BAM Construction and other partners, the project was designed so that all components can be easily disman- tled and repurposed, reducing waste and extending material life cycles. By incorporating VELUX Modular Skylights – designed without adhesives for easy rec- lamation – alongside traceable and certified materials, the building ensures that components remain valuable assets rather than waste. Through the use of certified, trackable materials and a commitment to transparency in the re-use market, the project builds confidence among developers and policy-makers, serving as a blueprint for integrating accountability and resource efficiency into future urban development. 108APPROACH 5 Engage stakeholders across the value chain to cultivate a culture of re-use and advance innovation and collaboration Scaling end-of-life re-use in the built environment requires engagement with a broad spectrum of stake- holders across the value chain and a culture of practice that embeds re-use as a standard approach. Achieving this shift involves convening diverse actors – including demolition workers, deconstruction specialists, small- scale resellers, manufacturers, policy-makers and local communities – to overcome regulatory and logistical barriers and drive adoption. The Alliance highlights three key strategies to build- ing this culture of practice: 1) increasing awareness of the benefits of re-use and showcasing successful models, 2) investing in workforce development through upskilling and reskilling initiatives that prepare current and future workers for emerging roles in material recovery and circular construction, and 3) promoting cross-sector collaboration and innovation to address economic and structural challenges, e.g. by overcoming the green pre- mium and developing new business models. Enhancing collaboration and alignment of diverse stakeholders can drive systemic change that transforms material and asset life cycles and strengthens local economies. SHREWSBURY FLAXMILL MALTINGS PROJECT The Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings project shows the transformative power of heritage conservation through adaptive re-use of the world’s first iron-framed building, often referred to as the “grandparent of skyscrapers”. This ambitious restoration transformed a dilapidated 1797 structure into a vibrant hub for work, leisure and social enterprise. The project was a collaborative effort, uniting Historic England, the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, Shropshire Council, funding bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Local Enter - prise Partnership, and individual philanthropists. The local community played a pivotal role, contributing over 17,000 volunteer hours to the initiative. By meticulously preserving original features and repurposing materials, the project not only honoured the building’s historical integrity but also drove community engagement, skill development and employment opportunities. The pro- ject was recognized through the Europa Nostra awards, and as noted by the awards’ jury, it “sets a pioneering example for future projects of its kind”. 109 ARUP and Velux/Simon KennedyDaniel Hopkinson