FAQs
Reuse Engineering Forum East Anglia (REFEA) helps drive sustainable design in the built environment. Our civil and structural engineering services support low-carbon construction, resource efficiency, and long-term resilience.
REFEA is a joint initiative by JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, promoting sustainability through smarter reuse and practical design in structural and civil engineering across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and the wider East Anglia region.
Led by JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, REFEA provides early input on structure, drainage, and sustainability to reduce embodied carbon from day one.
Yes - our teams at JMS Engineers and GC Robertson specialise in early-stage collaboration, embedding reuse and SuDS into the design process from the outset.
With seven strategically positioned offices, REFEA connects you with structural and civil engineers across the UK - ready to support projects wherever sustainability matters.
Absolutely. Our engineers focus on practical reuse, efficient structural design, and low-carbon materials to support your net-zero goals.
Yes - REFEA brings together structural and civil expertise through JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, offering fully coordinated, sustainability-focused design solutions.
Contractors can engage with our engineers early to coordinate temporary works, value engineer designs, and ensure practical delivery of low-carbon outcomes.
Our civil engineering teams at JMS Engineers and GC Robertson deliver planning-compliant SuDS and drainage strategies for complex and flood-sensitive sites.
It’s best to contact us at concept stage. With support from JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, we can advise early on reuse, drainage, and structural strategies that maximise sustainability and coordination.
Sustainable Design FAQs
Helping architects, developers and contractors deliver low-carbon, well-coordinated projects from day one.
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.
Sustainable
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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
Knowledge is key to sustainable change. Explore our latest insights and technical resources:
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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.