About REFEA
Championing Reuse and Resilient Design for a Low-Carbon East Anglia
REFEA champions sustainability in structural and civil engineering through smarter reuse and low-carbon design. Our mission is to promote circular economy principles, reduce embodied carbon, and embed SuDS into practical design choices across East Anglia. We turn bold ideas into measurable action for a low-carbon, climate-ready future.
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Our Mission
We champion smarter reuse, low-carbon structural design, and sustainable drainage solutions across East Anglia. By promoting circular economy thinking and practical, measurable action, we help reduce embodied carbon in construction and deliver more climate-resilient communities.
REFEA
Our Vision
To create a future where the built environment works in harmony with the planet - where reusing what we have is standard practice, sustainable drainage is considered from the outset, and engineers, architects, and developers collaborate to design for longevity, adaptability, and minimal environmental impact.
REFEA
Our Journey
REFEA is a sustainability initiative led by JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, created to work in partnership with architects and developers to drive practical, low-carbon design and smarter reuse across East Anglia.
REFEA
Sustainable
structures
east anglia
As structural engineers, we have a unique opportunity to influence how the built environment responds to the climate crisis. Reuse isn't just about saving materials - it's about rethinking value, preserving what works, and designing with long-term resilience in mind. Through REFEA, we hope to make reuse a more practical and achievable option on projects across East Anglia by sharing knowledge, highlighting viable approaches, and supporting early-stage design decisions.
Mark Weston
Structural Engineer, JMS Engineers
We assess the viability of retaining or repurposing existing structural elements, helping reduce demolition waste and embodied carbon.
We design integrated SuDS strategies that manage surface water naturally, reduce flood risk, and support biodiversity.
Our engineers design structures using low-carbon materials, optimised steel/concrete usage, and efficient detailing to minimise environmental impact.
We provide structural and civil input into retrofit schemes - ensuring existing assets can be adapted and extended rather than replaced.
We work alongside design teams to evaluate carbon impacts across the project lifecycle and propose meaningful reductions at the design stage.
Sustainable Design Services
Our civil and structural engineering services support low-carbon construction, resource efficiency, and long-term resilience.
Focus Areas
REFEA’s work is guided by six core principles that drive sustainable structural and civil engineering - turning practical design decisions into low-carbon outcomes across East Anglia.
Reuse First
Prioritising existing structures and materials to reduce waste and embodied carbon.
Early Design Collaboration
Involving engineers early to embed sustainability from concept to construction.
Low-Carbon Materials
Specifying materials with lower embodied carbon and designing for material efficiency.
Circular Design Thinking
Designing for adaptability, longevity, and future reuse from the outset.
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Integrated Drainage Solutions
Embedding SuDS into civil engineering for sustainable, climate-resilient developments.
Practical Sustainability
Delivering buildable, cost-conscious solutions that meet real environmental targets.
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Path to a Low-Carbon Built Environment
The built environment contributes nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, much of it through construction and materials. In East Anglia, reducing embodied carbon is critical to meeting sustainability goals. By reusing structures, designing efficiently, and integrating low-impact civil solutions, we can reshape how the region builds - and lead the way towards a net zero future.
