This ambitious proposal for a contemporary new-build dwelling explores innovative approaches to reducing embodied carbon through material reuse.

A key focus was the repurposing of steel - a material with high embodied energy - by integrating existing members and reclaimed members from a local demolition site directly into the new structure.

Developed in collaboration with a team of specialists including energy consultants, acousticians, interior designers, landscape architects, and structural engineers, the design also prioritises acoustic performance and the retention of existing structural elements wherever possible.

The commitment to reuse extends throughout the scheme - from repurposed furniture and reclaimed floorboards used as internal cladding to terrazzo tiles and basins made from crushed aggregate salvaged from the original house. Excavated material has been re-landscaped on site to minimise waste, with any surplus sorted, stored, and reused elsewhere.

Working closely with structural engineers, fabricators, and testing specialists, each component was verified for safe and effective reuse. Though technically demanding, this approach offers valuable learning for this and future projects.

This project represents an important step in exploring how thoughtful design and responsible material use can meaningfully reduce embodied carbon in residential architecture.