We love getting to work alongside and learn from other Design for Adaptation and Reuse pioneers and The Hithe project is a fantastic case study 📖🏠💡 Shout out to IF_DO Meanwhile Space CIC and Southwark Council Exciting new collabs coming soon… 👀🤫 #circularity #lowcarbon #decarbonisenow #evolvingbuildings #industrialisedconstruction
Designing for Circularity—Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at a seminar on Designing for Adaptation and Reuse set up by Natural Building Systems, where I was able to share insights from our work on The Hithe—a temporary, demountable building in South London, for Meanwhile Space CIC and Southwark Council The Hithe was conceived as a prototype for circular construction, demonstrating how modular systems can transform vacant lots into vibrant, community-focused spaces. Designed for disassembly and reuse, the project tested the technical, financial, and regulatory challenges of circularity. Lessons Learned from The Hithe 🔧 Technical Innovation: Minor design adjustments, like strategic fixing locations, future cut lines in membranes, and even the use of gasket foam tape in SIP panels, made significant improvements in reusability. However, balancing site-specific needs with adaptability proved complex. 💡 Financial Viability: While the upfront cost of designing for disassembly was 6% higher, lifecycle analysis showed a 23% reduction in whole-life costs after just one relocation, alongside significant embodied carbon savings. 📜 Regulatory Barriers: Misalignment between planning and building regulations remains a key challenge for temporary and relocatable structures. Addressing these systemic issues is crucial for scaling circular construction. Evolving Our Approach Since completing The Hithe, we’ve embraced standardised modular systems like Natural Building Systems, which take the lessons learned further: 🌿 Low-Carbon Materials: Prioritising renewable, bio-based materials to minimise embodied carbon from the outset. 🏢 Scalable Design: Standardisation enables adaptability across diverse sites without sacrificing efficiency or sustainability. 🏗️ Circularity at Scale: Modular systems are easier to deploy, disassemble, and relocate—helping to mainstream circular principles. By applying these innovations, we’re not just rethinking how buildings are made but redefining how they live, evolve, and positively impact both people and the planet. #CircularEconomy #SustainableDesign #ModularConstruction #LowCarbonBuilding #Innovation w/ Weber Industries Rumi Bose Alison Minto IF_DO Gavin Weber