From Waste to Resource Conference – Circularity in Practice: Architecture Panel

This panel brings together practitioners working at the forefront of spoil clay re-use within contemporary construction. They share their lived experiences of both the possibilities and barriers involved in scaling circular approaches. Through a series of case studies, speakers demonstrate possible ways to reintroduce clay waste into architectural practice. They also highlight the persistence of outdated industry perceptions and behaviours, as well as the need for systemic change across the entire supply chain.

Panel Chair: Joe Jack Williams

Joe Jack is the head of regenerative strategy at Bywater, embedding his years of cross-disciplinary experience directly into our projects and business. He is coordinating Bywater’s core response to the climate crisis and approach to ESG.

Guest Speaker: Rowland Keable

Rowland Keable is an Honorary Professor of the UNESCO Earthen Architecture Chair, CEO of Earth Building UK and Ireland (EBUKI) and Director of Rammed Earth Consulting CIC. A founder of EBUKI, Rowland works towards earth in mainstream construction, including work with the European trainers standards group.

Rowland’s talk will centre on the commercial use of site soil for use in construction. His work predominantly uses site material, and he has over 40 years of experience working on three continents. This started through necessity in Africa and became the preferred choice for work in the UK and elsewhere.

Guest Speaker: Emaad Damda

Emaad is an Associate Architect at Tuckey Design Studio. He champions the use of natural materials and how they can be woven into the sustainable regeneration of buildings and landscapes.

Emaad will be sharing the ideas and materials behind some of Tuckey Design Studio’s projects. He will explain how the practice is implementing principles of circularity in their architectural practice, the advantages this approach can offer and the challenges that this might bring.

Guest Speaker: Ben Bosence

Ben is a designer, researcher, builder and co-founder of Local Works Studio. He applies circular economy principles and knowledge of material reuse and invention to any project. With a background in building repair he designs new materials, structures, finishes and processes to suit any scale and application.

Ben’s presentation is titled: Winning the clay and opportunities for habitat creation from extraction.

How can we use site-won materials to create sustainable buildings and landscapes whilst also leaving a positive legacy from their extraction?

Next in the conference schedule: Excavation Waste London Clay Utilisation in Concrete Applications (Ex-Clay), Apostolos Tsoumelekas

Start from the beginning: Welcome, Clare Wood

Support

From Waste to Resource: Circular Economies for Construction Spoil Clay is part of a 19-month research initiative led by British Ceramics Biennial and undertaken by BCB Clay Researcher Claire Baily. The research was delivered in partnership with Louise Trodden (HS2 Arts & Culture Team).

Thank you to all the speakers, contributors, volunteers and attendees who generously supported and shared their knowledge, expertise and insights. The conference was recorded and edited by Copperbeach.