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:

  1. architects, engineers, and candidates with a five-year degree in construction, environment, or engineering.
  2. candidates with a bachelor's degree in the same fields, who can demonstrate three years of full-time professional experience in the field of construction, renovation, or urban planning.

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. Please note: if you are paying the fees in installments, you must register in person atENSA Normandie. More information will be available soon. 
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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. 

  • Registration fee: €3,900
  • ENSA graduate rate (graduates of an architecture school within the last two years at the start date of the program): €2,900
  • “À la carte” modules (participation in one or more modules without completing the entire program): €500

Applications open in April 2026! 

For a return to school at the end of September 2026 

Frequently Asked Questions – Under Construction

In the first semester: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays

In the second semester, either through a company placement or an internship

A winning team from France 2030

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