NYC, London, Brussels Transform Industrial Sites into Circular Construction Hubs
In August 2026, New York City unveiled a pilot initiative at the MADE Bush Terminal located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which will transform a previously industrial facility into a hub for recovering construction materials, managed by Our Temenos. This one-year project is a result of the NYCEDC's 'Ideas for Impact' RFEI. Comparable efforts can be found in a revamped warehouse in Brussels, Royal Docks in London, and a CirCoFin-supported network throughout Europe. The aim of the NYC pilot is to minimize waste and prolong the lifespan of materials, in line with sustainability objectives. DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson noted the substantial waste generated by construction. Significant projects include the Gothenburg Grand Central and the Turkish Pavilion at the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale. Barbara Buser received the 2026 Jane Drew Prize for her work in circular construction.
Key facts
- NYC announced a pilot project for MADE Bush Terminal in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, to transform an industrial building into a circular construction center.
- The pilot will be operated by Our Temenos, a Brooklyn-based M/WBE-certified ecological landscaping company.
- The project emerged from NYCEDC's 'Ideas for Impact' RFEI.
- Similar centers exist or are planned in Brussels (ReUse Park), London (Tipping Point East), and across Europe via CirCoFin.
- Brussels' ReUse Park is backed by the European Regional Development Fund for 2021-2027.
- Tipping Point East in Royal Docks, London, is founded by Material Cultures, RESOLVE, and Yes Make.
- CirCoFin is a Horizon Europe project supporting circular construction centers in Munich, Copenhagen, Lisbon, and Scotland.
- DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson stated that construction and demolition represent a huge part of NYC's waste stream.
- Gothenburg Grand Central in Sweden, designed by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, incorporates material reuse.
- The 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale's Turkish Pavilion will explore 'Spolia Futures'.
- Architect Barbara Buser received the 2026 Jane Drew Prize for her work in circular construction.
Entities
Artists
- Antonia Piñeiro
- Gregory Anderson
- Barbara Buser
- Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Institutions
- NYCEDC
- Our Temenos
- DSNY
- MADE Bush Terminal
- CirCoFin
- Horizon Europe
- European Regional Development Fund
- citydev.brussels
- Tipping Point East
- Material Cultures
- RESOLVE
- Yes Make
- Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
- Venice Architecture Biennale
- Turkish Pavilion
- AJ
- The Architectural Review
- Greater London Authority
- AIA New York
- nARCHITECTS
- SCAPE
- Public Records
- Public Service
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Sunset Park
- Brooklyn
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Ganshoren
- Royal Docks
- London
- United Kingdom
- Silvertown
- Munich
- Germany
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Scotland
- Sweden
- Gothenburg
- Venice
- Italy
- Switzerland
- East London
- Türkiye
- Bush Terminal