Kristiaan Borret Lecture in Amsterdam: Mainstreaming Reuse for Sustainable Construction

Arcam and the Academy of Architecture Amsterdam present '1.Lectures – Repair and Renewal', a lecture series on designing within climate challenges. On May 7, 2026, Kristiaan Borret will discuss the shift of reuse in construction from a niche practice to a mainstream approach, drawing on experiences from Brussels.

Arcam, in collaboration with the Academy of Architecture Amsterdam, is hosting the '1.Lectures – Repair and Renewal' series, aimed at individuals and students interested in designing for climate challenges. This specific lecture on May 7, 2026, features Kristiaan Borret, a prominent urban planner and policymaker. Borret will explore the evolution of reuse in the construction industry, moving from its origins as a pioneering practice to its current status as a mainstream strategy. He will use examples from Brussels to illustrate how reusing materials and even entire structures can be scaled up effectively, significantly contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in the building sector. The lecture will address the growing urgency for systemic impact in sustainable urban development, highlighting that the embodied carbon in a building's concrete structure is far more significant than in its finishing materials. Borret will advocate for tackling the 'cake' itself, not just the 'cherry on top,' emphasizing the need to scale the transition in how buildings are constructed. Through formal instruments and informal working methods, the role of the Brussels Chief Architect (BMA) in systematically integrating the reuse of materials, structures, and buildings into public tenders, private real estate projects, and building codes will be discussed. The ambition is to make reuse a central element of urban development, moving it from a niche concept to a mainstream approach.

Regular tickets cost €9 and include an entry ticket to Arcam. Free entry tickets can be ordered via the ticket street. Employees and students of the Academy of Architecture have free admission and can also order via the ticket button. The lecture will be in English.