Abstract
<jats:p>The seventh Re-cycling International Conference (2026, Universitat Politècnica de València) marks a key moment in the evolution of a research field that has progressively expanded its theoretical scope, tools, and disciplinary boundaries. Initially focused on waste reduction, material recovery, and construction technologies, the debate has evolved into a broader reflection on architecture’s role within the ecological crisis. The call for papers proposed a shift toward ecological intelligence, interpreting the built environment as a reservoir of materials, memories, infrastructures, and relationships. The contributions can be grouped into three thematic clusters: circular materials and upcycling strategies; adaptive reuse and circular urban transformations; and bio intelligent design approaches. Overall, the volume reflects a shift toward architecture as a practice of regeneration, responsibility, and adaptation.</jats:p>