Buildings, Reuse, Climate & Construction

The physical fabric of Europe's housing is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the urgent need to operate within planetary boundaries. As frameworks like the European Green Deal and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive push for a decarbonised building stock, the sector is shifting from resource-intensive new builds to the intelligent adaptation of what already exists. This transition encompasses converting underused assets, such as vacant offices and brownfields, into homes whilst pursuing neighbourhood-scale regeneration that avoids displacing local communities. Achieving this requires merging architectural innovation with circular construction methods to deliver climate-resilient housing. From rethinking individual building typologies to embracing mixed-use placemaking, this shift demands a fundamental reimagining of how our built environment is designed and sustained.

Below, you will discover a curated collection of resources, organisations, and initiatives driving this architectural shift. The insights gathered here range from Sascha Delz's research on co-operative urbanism to strategic roadmaps for building a circular Ireland. You can explore the work of pioneering practices such as AART, ARUP, 011h, and 1KOMMA5°, alongside civic networks like Actors of Urban Change. The featured projects illustrate these concepts in action, highlighting diverse typologies from A House for Artists and Blåsut Kollektivhus to the ABZ Tower in the Koch-Quartier and regeneration efforts in Aalborg East. Finally, to help you connect with practitioners, this cluster highlights upcoming industry gatherings including Architecture Matters, the polis Convention Düsseldorf, and Urban Future 2027.