Post-Industrial Adaptive Reuse in Poland as an Educational Template for Circular Economy in Architecture

Given the increasing global emphasis on implementing the circular economy (CE) across political, social, and economic domains, the application of its principles in architecture and construction is gaining strategic importance. This article explores the use of the 4R concept—reduce, reuse, recycle, recover—in the revitalization of post-industrial sites as a tool supporting the sustainable transformation of the built environment. In the theoretical section, a literature review is conducted to highlight the growing interest among researchers in CE-related issues and to outline the main directions of studies, including the integration of circular strategies with the challenges of adapting and sustainably transforming industrial heritage. The empirical section presents a qualitative comparative analysis of ten completed between 2014 and 2024 revitalization projects in Poland. It demonstrates how strategies of resource reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery are implemented in design and construction practice. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between 4R principles and architectural quality, historical context, and investment goals. The findings indicate that the concept of 4R principles supports the reduction in environmental impact while creating new cultural value. This concept offers a viable tool for sustainable redevelopment of post-industrial buildings while preserving their industrial identity and heritage value.