CascadeUp | Creating a circular future for our built environment

From the ground breaking research project CascadeUp, daily talks will be taking place on how to transform our built environment to create a circular future - including a panel session from BuildZero, a new research programme with this vision. CascadeUp provides a powerful stage as the first building-scale demonstration of a glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure which has been created entirely out of waste timber from demolition. The 3.5-metre high, 2.5-metre wide and 2-metre deep modular structure was designed by University College London’s Circular Economy Lab and UK CLT to provide a stage to share planet-saving ideas. Visitors to the pilot will have the opportunity to view the structure and learn more about its design and construction, material properties and scalability, and environmental benefits. You can also learn more about the project directly from the UCL team, with talks from 12-12.30 and 16-16:30 on Wednesday 18 September, Friday 20 September, and Saturday 21 September. The centre piece of these talks will take place on Thursday 19 September, 4pm, from the BuildZero Research Programme. This new research programme has a vision of a future where society’s building stock needs can be met with zero raw material extraction, zero carbon and zero waste. Achieving these aims requires massive changes across the construction supply chain, with design being a critical enabler. This vision and its implied limit on the extraction of raw materials also prompts us to question our built environment priorities. Join this panel session as they address questions on how do we ensure an affordable home for everyone? How do we retrofit our existing building stock to deliver an energy efficient, zero carbon UK? And how do we decide when to retrofit or when to demolish and rebuild? The panel will be chaired by Dani Densley-Tingley (University of Sheffield), PI on the EPSRC funded BuildZero funded grant. Panellists: Rachel Hoolahan - ORMS Andrew Jackson - Cundall Talia Berriman - Newham Council Colin Rose - UCL/UK CLT Flavie Lowres - Finish and Interiors Sector This will take place at Oxo Tower Platform and Courtyard (Barge House St, London SE1 9PH) from the CascadeUp stage. This stage, in the heart of the South Bank design district, provides a centre piece to an exciting area which includes both Material Matters and the Wood Awards. Collectively, all three tell a powerful story of a more sustainable, low-carbon future, and showcase the teams working now to make this possible. Make sure to come down early to give yourself time to explore both exhibits, before joining us for this special panel. The project has been carried out in partnership with Portakabin, and with the support of a range of brilliant collaborators. Since 1961, Portakabin has been at the forefront of construction innovation, pioneering modular construction as a smarter way to build. Over the years, the company has changed, adapted, and grown, but always with the aim of making a better future by reusing and repurposing its products and buildings. As the world faces enormous climate challenges, Portakabin is preparing to play its part by looking at new and innovative ways to increase circularity in its business model.