“Following the publication of the IPCC report (and the birth of my first grandchild) in October 2018 the urgency of the climate crisis really hit home to me – the world’s top scientists said we had twelve years to limit climate catastrophe! Since then, I have pivoted our practice to focus on positive solutions to meet the needs of our clients and society without breaching Earth’s ecological boundaries.” -  Julia Barfield, 2025

The built environment’s current approach is falling short. Despite decades of sustainability initiatives, the UK construction industry is still responsible for 42% of national carbon emissions and 62% of all waste. 

At Marks Barfield Architects, we go beyond sustainability — embracing regenerative design. This approach seeks to work in harmony with nature, operating within planetary boundaries to deliver environmental justice and enable the flourishing of all life for generations to come. 

Achieving this is challenging, but on every project we look for meaningful, practical steps towards that goal. The case studies below show how we are putting regenerative design principles into practice. 

Marks Barfield Architects have been recognised as “Front Runners” in the field by Architecture Today’s Regenerative Design Index - see article.

• ESG targets
• Cost savings
• Carbon savings
• Meeting planning conditions for % reuse
• Achieving sustainability accreditations (BREEAM, LEED, WELL)
• Circular credentials attracting users and tenants

We have expertise in implementing material reuse at all scales including new builds and retrofits. Our network of deconstruction contractors, developers, designers, and consultants allow us to circulate materials between projects. This process is illustrated in our 'Urban Mining Tondo'  where our projects become donors and recipients to one another. We are successfully overcoming the key challenges of material reuse - storage, programme, warranties/ insurance - by connecting industry specialists together and acting as material brokers.

• Creation of an estate-wide circularity strategy, unique to your portfolio, aims, opportunities and constraints
• Access to our circular economy network to maximise opportunities for material reuse
• Whole Life Carbon Assessments
• Circular Economy Statements
• Material Audits - to understand the reuse potential of your asset/s.
• Material Passports - to enable future material reuse.
• Upskilling your team in circular and regenerative design methodology