Partnering with Scentre Group, Second Edition, and Mud Ceramics, we have just completed the first stage of concept designs for Project Brief 7 Circular Economy for A New Normal - Sydney , led by local urbanist and former City of Sydney Councillor, Jess Miller.
Our challenge was to create a circular economy response to retail fitouts, using Sydney Westfield vacant retail space as the site, as a case study to reduce waste by recycling building materials and converting waste into products as temporary activations for landlords (in this case Scentre Group) that could become permanent for tenants.
Our system of construction uses an Australian made low-e cement block with 100% of the aggregate as waste produce like paper, PPE or plastics from landfill. The system of construction aims to be fully de-assemblable where no postitive joints used, and the shelving material either salvaged from deomlosighed retail fitouts (marble, glass, metal) or from other construction sites from the Second Edition network. The dimensions of the block are perfect for most uses when multiplied - in a bench for seating, display shelving, hanging racks and standing desks or sinks.
We are currently discussing the concept with local fashion retailers who successfully upcycle fashion to reuse textile waste as part of this concept.
Artist visualisation by Caitlin Condon and Shahar Cohen of Second Edition
Next steps are to convert this idea into a live activation during VIVID as part of the wider New Normal network, which we hope will lead to a real life pilot in a retail space.
Watch this space.