Re:Builders 2025-26 | Routes to Regenerative Retrofit Programme Launch

Join us as we launch the second cohort of Re:Builders programme for you and your business to build skills, knowledge and learn about a range of opportunities and approaches to the regenerative retrofit of our homes and streets in the West Midlands.

Come along to chat to the team hosting the programme and learn more about it through hands-on live build and demo sessions, working with reclaimed on-site materials including lime mortar repointing and brick wall maintenance.

Whether you have already registered to join programme or you are interested to join but want to find out more before you commit, these launch days are an opportunity to meet and connect with fellow Re:Builders — those working in the built environment and construction sector towards regenerative approaches to retrofit.


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WHAT TO EXPECT

The launch days will be an opportunity to get a taster experience of how you might approach the challenges and opportunities of home and street retrofit as part of collective of built environment practitioners through mentoring, case study visits, and skills sessions.

You'll have an opportunity to hear directly from CIVIC SQUARE, Material Cultures, and Dark Matter Labs who are facilitating the Re:Builders programme in partnership with Fircroft College.

In these sessions, we will be exploring fundamental approaches to working with lime mortars, existing brickwork, and identifying opportunities to make the most of local materials.

On Thursday 2nd October we will be joined by Matthew Sullivan of Ty Mawr Lime for an afternoon demo and discussion about how we can use natural, low-embodied carbon materials to address chronic issues in our homes, streets and neighbourhoods—from which limes work best in different contexts, to how best to apply them. To join the launch day, register your place via this eventbrite page.

On Friday 3rd Octoner, we will also be joined by Ben Bosence of Local Works, a studio specialising in bioregional and reclaimed material methods for design and construction. Here we will be working on a live demonstrator testing and exploring repointing methods on the brickwork of a Victorian terraced house. To join this second build day, please register your place by attending the launch on Thursday 2nd October or get in touch with us directly at charlie@civicsqare.cc

If you're interested in learning more about Re:Builders, you can read more at this link or watch our documentary on the first Re:Builders Programme here.

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ABOUT RE:BUILDERS

Re:Builders is a six-month hands-on fully-funded learning programme for built environment workers from small to medium sized businesses in the West Midlands who want to develop regenerative construction methods to meet the urgent need to retrofit our homes, streets, and neighbourhoods.

Supported by Innovate UK, and brought to you by Fircroft College the programme will be delivered in collaboration with CIVIC SQUARE, Dark Matter Labs and Material Cultures as a fully funded course. Working alongside further education colleges in the region, the programme seeks to develop new approaches to providing bespoke training and innovation support to businesses across a range of key sectors in the region.

Re:Builders is perfect for you if:

• You own, manage or are employed by a small to medium-sized built environment business in the West Midlands.
• You run a registered micro or small business in the West Midlands that is often subcontracting or working with domestic construction ie a tradesperson, builder, or building material supplier.
  

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ABOUT CIVIC SQUARE

CIVIC SQUARE are the lead organisation orchestrating and delivering the Re:Builders learning programme alongside Dark Matter Labs and Material Cultures. CIVIC SQUARE are preparing to move into the construction phase of a large scale capital project — the Neighbourhood Public Square.

As part of this preparation we are interested in learning and building skills alongside contractors, skilled workers, builders and trades persons who are open to working out the roles they might play in social, ecological, economic and climate transitions at the neighbourhood scale.

The Re:Builders launch takes place on the Neighbourhood Public Square followed by the first Build Day at our Retrofit Demonstrator House.

Please note the the Neighbourhood Public Square site is a work in progress and that this event will take place under the shelter of a polytunnel, with some parts taking place outdoors and in close proximity to former industrial buildings which are currently undergoing surveys to gain a full picture of their condition.

Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions and listen and respect any care guidance shared by our team and practitioners on site, for whom your safety is their number one priority.

— Closed toed shoes or boots must be worn

— The ground is uneven in places, please navigate carefully and look out for each other

— We will also provide any additional safety equipment that is required on your arrival, including hi vis vests which are to be worn at all times on site

— Toilets will be available off site on Rotton Park Street

— No food or uncovered drinks inside the polytunnel

— Do not go beyond the designated areas, indicated by heras fencing and floor markings