As the first comprehensive post-master’s program at ENSA dedicated to the reuse of materials in construction, the DPEA (Diplôme Propre aux Ecoles d’Architecture) REBOND trains professionals to design, transform, and build in innovative ways.

A comprehensive two-semester program

The REBOND DPEA program trains experts capable of designing sustainable projects by making use of existing materials and resources.

Combining theory, practice, and innovation, this comprehensive program addresses the current and future environmental challenges facing the construction industry.

Supported by a strong network of professional partners, it facilitates the integration of graduates and actively contributes to the growth of the reuse sector.

Objective

The REBOND DPEA applies the principles of the circular economy to architecture. The availability of materials serves as the starting point for a renewed approach to architectural design. The program combines assessment, careful removal, reconditioning, and regulatory considerations for the reuse of materials in architectural projects.

 
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Programme

An intensive two-semester course

Duration: 1 year

Location: Rouen – Darnétal (primarily), with key locations in Le Havre and the Paris region. 

  • 10 specialized theoretical modules focusing on the material cycle 
  • 1 international study trip
  • 1 real-world project workshop
  • 1 four-month professional internship
  • 1 research thesis and defense
Led by some thirty professionals and experts in the field, the training program offers a comprehensive immersion in the reuse ecosystem.

Supervision

The program is led by three associate professors fromENSA Normandie: Julien Choppin, architect, co-founder of the Encore Heureux firm, and curator of the Matière grise exhibition at the Pavillon de l’Arsenal; Adrien Henocq ( partner at the Belus & Hénocq architects firm, specializing in bio-based construction); and Jennifer Didelon ( heritage architect specializing in the assessment and renovation of existing buildings). The program is complemented by contributions from some thirty external professionals recognized for their expertise in the field of reuse (demolition contractors, lawyers, technical inspectors, etc.).

Semester 1

  • 10 modules, each lasting 2 days.
  • 1 study tour in Europe to meet pioneers in the field of reuse.
  • Project Workshop (20 days) – Real-world scenarios involving local stakeholders.
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List of theoretical modules

 

Life cycle of building materials.

Upstream phase (production, distribution, prescription) and downstream phase (waste).

Construction and demolition waste management methods, classifications, and disposal options.

Materials recycled from waste.

The impacts of material extractivism: quarries, landfills, and the landscapes they shape.

A historical perspective on appropriation practices.

Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the modern era.

Looting, appropriation, collections.

American counterculture.

Cultural history. Production chains.

A Renewal of Circular Material Practices in the Contemporary Era

Network of stakeholders and pioneers. Engineering firms, companies, platforms, institutions.

Maps, directories, networks.

Awards, certifications.

Incorporating reuse into construction operations.

Roles of stakeholders (project management consultant, client, project management office, contractors) and procurement (design and construction).

Phasing of operations.

The circular economy, carbon footprints.

Feedback on experiences.

Changes in the legal landscape. Laws and regulations.

Uncommon techniques. Technical inspection.

Test protocols, characterizations.

Conservation of existing resources.

PEMD Assessment, Resource Assessment.

Digital tools.

Technical feasibility of selective demolition.

Careful removal.

Logistics, warehousing.

Physical platforms, digital platforms.

Inert waste.

Concrete, brick, stone.

Metal framing, wood framing.

Professional standards.

Plaster, insulation.

Carpentry, plumbing fixtures, radiators.

Upcycling, design.

The flow of goods into and out of a region.

Cross-site management, mapping.

Management of excavated material.

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Semester 2

  • 4-month professional placement: internship or return to the workplace
  • Writing a thesis
  • Defense before a jury

Objective: to consolidate expertise and develop professional positioning.

Diploma

Participants who have completed and successfully passed the entire program will receive the Diploma in Architectural Studies (DPEA REBOND).

Admission requirements

The DPEA REBOND training program is open to:

  • architects, engineers, and candidates with a five-year degree in construction, environment, or engineering.

Admissions Process (for the 2026–2027 academic year):

  1.  Call for applications: until June 14 
  2. Application screening: June 15–17 
  3. Individual interview (20 minutes): June 26, online
  4. Results to be released on June 29
  5. Registration: July 15 & 16. Details regarding registration (location, procedures, etc.) will be announced shortly.

Applications are subject to a selection process. Participation in the training program will not be confirmed until the selection committee has approved the application and the admission process has been completed.

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Registration fees

The registration fees include registration for the training course, travel to the training locations, and travel within Europe. These items do not apply to the "à la carte" modules. 

  • Course fee: €3,900
  • Reduced rate for recent ENSA graduates (graduates of an architecture school under the Ministry of Culture who have graduated within the past two years as of the course start date): €2,900
  • "À la carte" modules (participation in one or more modules without completing the entire program—no certificate awarded): €500 per module

Payment can be made in three installments if you are self-funding the program. If this applies to you, please be sure to notify the department via eformation@rouen.archi.fr.

Applications are due by June 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.  

The application process consists of two steps, both of which are mandatory.

Step 1 

Go to: admission.archi.fr // Select: ENSA-Normandie // Click: Create an application.

Under "Admission Session," select: DPEA REBOND 2026-2027 Session// Click on: Access this session // Enter the information, then submit.

Once you receive the automated email confirming the creation of your application, make a note of your application number and keep it for your records.

Step 2

With your case number handy, click on THIS LINK to complete your application. 

Important Dates 

The preliminary screening of applications will take place from June 15 to 17, 2026.
Interviews will be held online on June 26, 2026. 
The results will be published on June 29, 2026.

Administrative registration will take place on July 15 and 16, 2026. All details regarding registration will be announced shortly (location, procedures, etc.).

Contact: formation@rouen.archi.fr

Frequently asked questions 

In the first semester: Mondays (projects), Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (modules). Please note that because Wednesday, November 11, is a holiday, the second day of the module will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

In the second semester: internship or return to the workplace (schedule to be determined with the employer)

The international trip is an integral part of the program. For this first year, it will take place from October 5 to 7, 2026, in Belgium and the Netherlands (please allow for one or two additional days for travel, if necessary).  

The new school year begins on September 28, a few days before the trip to Europe.

The first semester will run from September 28, 2026, to January 20, 2027. The school will be closed during the Christmas break. There will be no classes the week of October 26, 2026. 

It will be dedicated to the internship or the return to work. The specific details of its organization should therefore be discussed with the employer. 

At the end of the year, you will be awarded a Diploma Specific to Architecture Schools (DPEA). This diploma will certify your specialized skills in the field of reuse.

The evaluation of the training program and the awarding of the DPEA REBOND diploma are carried out by:

  • attendance at the various modules
  • the distribution of the summaries of the case study results
  • the completion of an internship (or a return to the workplace), followed by the defense of a thesis before a panel at the end of this period. 

A winning team from France 2030

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