A research, sculpture, podcast and event series investigating circular design in the built environment. Hilary captures conversation with those who have tried and tested systems; from grassroots to the complex, for designing in waste, and out single-life use of construction materials and services.

This project seeks better ways to understand, harness & deploy the expertise and knowledge of experts currently within the design community. It aims to illustrate that waste is not an accident, but the consequence of decisions made at the design stage, and that designers have an opportunity to do better. 

Deniz comes from a lineage of stonemasons. His family part owns a mountain (a quarry) in Italy. Upon meeting, he holds a chunk of marble between his thick working fingers. He has 10 of them. Unlike some of his more experienced counterparts. To them, he’s young (yet to be marred by the dangers of stone), and not worth listening to. But Deniz has an idea that will save money, resources, time…perhaps even fingers.

At his factory, he turfs the equivalent of 800 slabs of virgin marble a year as offcuts. He is working on a system to track, categorise & quantify stone waste within the industry. It’s replicable & easy to incorporate, but his challenge is giving architects knowledge of where this material comes from and encouraging new documentation methods. To discuss how materials can be used again & again & again.

The series interviews people like Deniz who, whether grassroots or complex, are making an impact. The project involves a series of in-person interviews and tours of technologies/projects making waves within the circular economy, products-as-a-service, and designing for disassembly.