East Anglia-based engineering consultancies JMS Engineers and GC Robertson have launched a joint initiative – the Reuse Engineering Forum East Anglia (REFEA) – to promote sustainability in structural and civil engineering.
REFEA’s mission is to drive practical, measurable change in the construction industry by embedding circular economy principles, reducing embodied carbon, and integrating sustainable drainage systems into real-world designs.
Turning sustainability goals into action
Operating across East Anglia, REFEA will bring together engineers, developers, and designers to champion smarter reuse of materials, lower-carbon construction methods, and climate-ready infrastructure.
REFEA’s services include:
- Structural Reuse Assessments – identifying opportunities to retain and repurpose existing structures.
- Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) – designing drainage that manages flood risk and supports biodiversity.
- Low-carbon structural design – reducing embodied carbon through innovative engineering solutions.
- Lean structural design – optimising materials and minimising waste without compromising safety.
- Retrofit engineering – extending the life of buildings and infrastructure through targeted upgrades.
- Adaptation strategies – ensuring projects are resilient to climate change impacts.
“REFEA is about moving beyond discussion to implementation,” said Mark Weston, Managing Director at JMS Engineers. “We want to help the industry make tangible progress towards low-carbon, sustainable builds – not just in theory, but in day-to-day design decisions.”
Holly Peirson, Structural Engineer at GC Robertson, added: “We see a real opportunity to connect innovation with practical delivery. Through REFEA, we can share best practice, test ideas, and support the region’s construction sector in making meaningful environmental improvements.”
Collaboration for a climate-ready future
The forum will host events, publish guidance, and provide design input for projects aiming to meet the UK’s climate and sustainability goals. By focusing on reuse and low-carbon design, REFEA aims to help East Anglia lead the way in building a resilient, resource-efficient future.
For more information, visit Reuse Engineering Forum.
