‘Re-Verify’—A Framework Designed to Unlock Material Reuse in Irish ConstructionBuilding a practical framework for performance-based material reuse to bridge the regulatory gap in Irish construction.
BALLINA, IRELAND — ACT (Accelerating Change Together) has announced the launch of Re-Verify, a pioneering project that responds to the critical regulatory barriers currently preventing the direct reuse of construction materials in Ireland.
Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is Ireland’s largest waste stream. While the desire for circular construction is growing, most projects still default to buying new because there is no clear, simple way to prove that salvaged materials comply with Building Regulations. Re-Verify aims to bridge this gap by introducing a performance-based verification toolkit, moving away from costly formal re-certification toward a pragmatic system of traceable evidence and due diligence.
The project reflects ACT’s mission to use architecture as a tool for ecological resilience and systemic change, advancing a model of design grounded in research and regenerative care.
Overview
- Name: Re-Verify: Performance-Based Reuse Framework
- Type: Design Research / Circular Economy Initiative
- Location: Ballina, Co. Mayo
- Collaborators: Habitat for Humanity Ireland – ReStore
- Funders: Community Foundation Ireland (Circular Economy Innovation Grants Scheme 2025)
‘This project demonstrates how architecture can engage critically with place, policy and people. It is not just about what we build, but how and why we choose our materials. By developing the Re-Verify toolkit, we are unlocking the confidence needed for designers and regulators to prioritise reuse and repair over recycling.’ — Kevin Loftus, Director, ACT
Re-Verify was conceived in response to the regulatory uncertainty that mandates new materials over salvaged ones. The design approach is rooted in ACT’s model of critical spatial practice, focusing on adaptive reuse and circular design principles.
Key Features:
- Live Demonstration: The framework will be piloted on the Scotch House redevelopment in Ballina, an exemplar project combining adaptive reuse with design-for-disassembly.
- Industry Toolkit: A digital Direct Reuse Verification Toolkit featuring templates, checklists and photo records designed for designers, contractors and local authorities.
- Policy Dialogue: Collaborative workshops with Building Control Officers and the NSAI to ensure the framework is credible and ready for national adoption.
The project forms part of ACT’s ongoing portfolio of not-for-profit, research-driven architecture in Ireland.