Advancing circular construction through research, strategy, and practice
Architect, researcher, and advisor specialising in circular economy, BIM, material reuse, earth construction, and end-of-life strategies for the built environment and renewable assets. Supported by 15+ years in architecture, a PhD in BIM and circular economy, and award-winning research collaborations.
Environmental Finance Sustainability Awards — ERALD Project
Stanford University & Elsevier Global Ranking
HEXABIM — Mention Spéciale "BIM Influenceuses"
Coventry University, Faculty of Engineering
What I Work On
Circular Economy in Construction
Supporting the transition of the built environment through circular economy frameworks, standards, and applied research.
02BIM, Digitalisation & Material Passports
Using BIM and digital tools to improve traceability, transparency, reuse potential, and lifecycle decision-making.
03Reuse & End-of-Life Strategy
Developing strategies for deconstruction, recovery, reuse, and circular planning across built assets.
04Earth Construction & Low-Impact Materials
Exploring earth-based and other low-impact material systems as practical pathways to lower-carbon construction.
05Solar PV Sustainability
Advancing sustainable and circular approaches to photovoltaic systems, with a focus on end-of-life challenges and industry transition.
Recent Work
The solar boom has a dirty secret — Here’s how to avoid another mountain of waste
Charef R.
The Conversation
Revolutionizing Construction Safety: Unveiling the Digital Potential of Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Manzoor B., Charef R., Antwi-Afari M.F., et al.
Buildings
Building Together: Redefining Construction with Nature as a Partner
Charef R. and Gault F.
NetMag Media
For a bright and sustainable photovoltaic industry: recommendations to tackle end-of-life challenges
Charef R., Jones B. and Costa A.
White Paper / Policy Report
Media & Impact
Article on the end-of-life challenge of solar panels and how to avoid future solar waste.
Podcast feature on using earth as a circular and sustainable construction material.
Research on deconstruction highlighted by the World Economic Forum as an alternative to demolition.
Invited guest at a House of Lords reception recognising contributions to the ERALD project.
Article on how earth construction could help transform sustainable building practices.
Invited webinar on circular construction and the built environment, with 200 attendees and 291 views.
Interested in collaborating?
I welcome invitations for research collaboration, speaking engagements, consultancy, and academic partnerships.
Get in Touch