Low-Carbon Structural Design
REFEA supports architects, developers, and contractors across East Anglia with structural designs that reduce carbon, material waste, and long-term impact.
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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.
Structural engineering that minimises embodied carbon and maximises efficiency
REFEA supports architects, developers, and contractors across East Anglia with structural designs that reduce carbon, material waste, and long-term impact.
We apply practical, engineering-led solutions to reduce embodied carbon in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments - delivering structures that are not only compliant but future-ready.
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What is Low-Carbon Structural Design?
Low-carbon design is about more than switching materials. It means engineering structures that use fewer resources, create less waste, and perform efficiently over their lifespan. Whether it’s optimising steelwork, reusing foundations, or specifying low-impact alternatives, our approach is grounded in both technical rigour and carbon literacy.
Our Low-Carbon Structural Engineering Services Include:
Early-stage structural concept development to reduce material use
Embodied carbon analysis and reporting
Optimised steel, timber, and hybrid structural frames
Lightweight structural design to reduce load on substructure and transport impact
Specification of low-carbon concrete alternatives
Designs for disassembly and future reuse where feasible
Why Choose REFEA approved structural engineers?
We don’t just design for regulations - we design for performance and impact. Our engineers work with design teams from the earliest stages to ensure structural decisions support carbon goals, cost certainty, and construction practicality.
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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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.