A spolia, Latin for ‘spoils’, is a stone taken from an old structure and repurposed for new construction or decorative purposes. As the idea of sustainability is often linked to innovation and state-of-the-art technology, the concept of spolia suggests we view the past as an inseparable part of our future. Instead of erasing the past to make space for a ‘better’ future, we can integrate what is already present and adapt it to our needs.

Cities are a great example of how demolishing and rebuilding everything would be much less sustainable than transforming and adapting existing infrastructure to match our emerging needs. Just like spolia, we can preserve the parts of our past that can be of value and create a stronger foundation for the years to come, blending together artefacts of yesterday with visions of tomorrow.