Circular design for a sustainable future: interview with the ‘Radial’ pavilion team

Tom: The practice’s relationship with Brookfield Properties began when we were appointed to design Principal Place in 2013.

Last year, we collaborated on a report and installation, which were both presented at the Ecocity World Summit and showcased the possibilities of sustainable workplace design.

We discussed Brookfield’s ongoing initiative to activate the public spaces around their buildings – and were asked if we’d be interested in designing a pavilion for Principal Place – in conjunction with the 2024 London Festival of Architecture.

So, our working relationship has evolved quite naturally – and it’s built on a shared interest in community engagement and sustainable design.

Alex: In response to the LFA’s overarching theme – ‘reimagine’ – the team came up with a set of sustainable design principles that drove the material choices and structural systems.

Tom: A primary aim was to reuse as much of the existing building fabric as possible and confront the issue of material waste head on. The pavilion is made from materials that are commonly found on construction sites – such as scaffolding and scaffolding board – transforming something that could be considered as mundane or ubiquitous into something that’s hopefully quite striking.

Alex: We also wanted the pavilion to effectively communicate the urgent need for sustainable design. The white, blue, and red flags are arranged according to a colour grading system that was developed by the climate scientist Ed Hawkins. The radial pattern reflects the earth’s rising temperature over the past 100 years.

Tom: We are collaborating with The White Wall Company, who create sculptures and exhibitions for some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists and gallery spaces. They have introduced us to a specialist scaffolding contractor, who will help us put the pavilion’s structural elements back into circulation at the end of the summer.

Alex: We’re also looking to turn the flags into tote bags and donate the timber to community workshops for local projects.

Alex: The pavilion was the perfect brief for me to work on at this point in my apprenticeship as I’ve been able to get to grips with every stage of a project within a relatively short timeframe. With support from mentors and input from senior members of the team, I had the chance to influence the design of the pavilion from the earliest stages.

Foster + Partners’ apprenticeship scheme gives people like me – who already have degrees – the valuable opportunity to switch careers without having to return to full-time study. Although the L6 apprenticeship is still fairly new, I really hope that it continues to gain traction and provides more opportunities for people to pursue a career in architecture.

Alex: The open brief allowed me to think more creatively, when coming up with initial ideas for the pavilion. This is something I’m hoping to carry forward to future projects.

Tom: It’s interesting how quite a simple structure can create such a strong focal point in the public domain. People seem to be really engaged with the pavilion already – which is lovely to see.