Opening of the RECONSTRUCT Demo Building at Green Energy Park
Events
29 January 2026 – Brussels Last week, the RECONSTRUCT project marked an important milestone with the Open Lab event and visit to its demo building at the Green Energy Park. The event brought together 30 participants from academia and research, industry, public authorities, and EU institutions, all sharing a common interest in advancing circularity in the construction sector
After the welcome note and introduction to the project, the discussions focused on key themes such as circular business models for concrete (VUB – Architectural Engineering), European policies supporting circular concrete and design for disassembly (ITeC), and innovative floor systems and the development of alkali-activated materials implemented on site (VUB – Department of Mechanics of Materials and Constructions (MeMC)).
Participants then had the opportunity to take part in a tour of the demo building guided by Holland Composites BV, where they could see firsthand how circular construction principles have been applied in practice. The visit offered insights into the building process, material choices, and design solutions that enable reuse, adaptability, and reduced environmental impact.
The day concluded with the workshop on the dynamic learning agenda, a 60-minute co-creation session, designed to actively engage participants in shaping the future of circular construction. This interactive session (organised by Teesside University and ICONS and facilitated by ITeC) unfolded in three steps: identifying and prioritising barriers to circular construction, sharing experiences and solutions, and reflecting on the demo building, as participants were invited to share what inspired them most and suggest how RECONSTRUCT could further support their work and the wider sector.
The diversity of perspectives enriched the discussions throughout the Open Lab and highlighted both the complexity and the potential of transitioning toward circular construction; we look forward to continuing this dialogue with our partners and stakeholders as we advance this shared journey.
