FOOTPRINT 2026

Respecting materials is essential to credible circularity in construction yet current legislation fails to demand low-carbon or post-consumer metals. This gap is expected to close as policy evolves but progress on such regulation is slow.

Using the example of a central London office retrofit this discussion will focus on the principles that shaped its low‑carbon strategy, the successes and learnings. The panel will explore the challenges of downcycling, particularly where, once downcycled, aluminium alloys can never be upcycled again, and the need to maintain high material quality, highlighting the importance of closing the loop, reducing waste and treating metal as a resource we are all responsible for stewarding.

This panel examines the circular approach taken on a recently approved central London office retrofit, focusing on successes, learnings and the principles that shaped its low‑carbon strategy. The discussion explores why respecting materials is essential to credible circularity, and how current legislation fails to demand low‑carbon or post‑consumer metals a gap expected to close as policy evolves. Panellists consider the challenges of downcycling, particularly where, once downcycled, aluminium alloys can never be upcycled again, and the need to maintain high material quality. The session highlights the importance of closing the loop, reducing waste and treating metal as a resource we are responsible for stewarding.