Lean Structural Design
Lean structural design helps teams strip back to what’s essential - delivering performance with minimal material use.
Our engineering support focuses on efficiency, reducing embodied carbon, and designing with clarity, adaptability, and long-term value in mind.
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.
Designing efficiently, building responsibly.
Lean structural design focuses on doing more with less - minimising material use, lowering embodied carbon, and delivering clear, buildable solutions without compromising safety or compliance.
What is Lean Structural Design?
Rather than over-engineering, lean design applies logic and restraint - prioritising simplicity, efficiency, and future adaptability. It’s an approach that values what’s necessary, challenges assumptions, and supports low-impact construction.
Our Approach
Early Brief Challenge: Structural requirements are reviewed at concept stage to align performance with actual use - avoiding default loading assumptions and structural excess.
Material Efficiency: Natural materials like responsibly sourced timber and stone are prioritised, alongside low-carbon concrete alternatives. Choices are based on availability, performance and environmental impact.
Rational Geometry: Simplified load paths and clean layouts reduce structural complexity and material demand - improving buildability and clarity on site.
Designed for Change: Structures are conceived to adapt: future reconfigurations, strengthening strategies or disassembly can be achieved without major structural intervention.
Aligned with Sustainable Goals: Lean design works hand in hand with wider sustainability strategies - supporting retrofit, reuse, and resilience alongside efficient new builds.
Why It Matters
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Lower embodied carbon without compromising performance
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Efficient design and construction with fewer resources
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Future-ready structures designed for long-term flexibility
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Clearer detailing and buildability from concept to delivery
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.
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
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.