Another Brick in the Wall

Bricks made from recycled materials will be used to create 2021’s Serpentine Pavilion

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The Serpentine's annual architecture commission – a global platform for experimental projects by some of the world's greatest architects  

Professor Gabriela with sustainably engineered bricks (2020-02-19) by KenoteqMuseum of Engineering Innovation

An all-women team from South Africa-based Counterspace will design the Serpentine Pavilion in 2021.   

Focusing on the experience of London’s migrant and transient communities, Counterspace will be using both innovative and traditional building techniques, mixing low- and high-tech approaches to sustainability. The sustainable K-Briq will make its debut in the pavilion’s construction.      

Dr Sam Chpaman with sustainably engineered bricks (2020-02-19) by KenoteqMuseum of Engineering Innovation

Created by Kenoteq, a Heriot-Watt University spinout, the K-Briq is made of more than 90% recycled materials, using construction and demolition waste. 

The K-Briq looks and behaves like a clay brick and weighs the same but offers better insulation properties.    

The bricks don’t need to be fired, so produce just 10% of the carbon emissions that standard fired bricks create. At the end of their life, the bricks can be ground back down to create new K-Briqs, beginning the cycle again.

Engineers examine sustainably engineered bricks (2020-02-19) by KenoteqMuseum of Engineering Innovation

Kenoteq set up its pilot production onsite with a waste handling company.        

The company collects inert demolition waste, for example old bricks, rubble and gypsum plaster, before mixing the waste with its binder and compressing it into bricks.      

K-Briqs can be made in a variety of colours (2020-02-19) by KenoteqMuseum of Engineering Innovation

Recycled pigments can also be added to produce bricks in any colour. 

By partnering with companies that already deal with construction waste, Kenoteq ensures that it is not adding trucks to the road – the heavy waste comes to the site anyway, and empty trucks going to collect waste from building sites are ideally suited to deposit the finished product in a place that requires it.

Kenoteq's sustainably engineered Serpentine Pavilion (2020-02-19) by KenoteqMuseum of Engineering Innovation

K-Briqs will be used to create 2021’s Serpentine Pavilion

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Bricks made from recycled materials will be used to create 2021’s Serpentine Pavilion 

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