EXPLAINER: How will HWFI CDT achieve 63% less carbon emissions building a new workspace in the Olympic Park?

Our forthcoming development at the ViewTube site will pioneer the use of innovative modular structures

Hackney Wick & Fish Island’s Community Development Trust have just announced a major new project on the way. Here’s all you need to know.

WHAT?

The CDT has been awarded a substantial grant from the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC)’s Carbon Offset Fund to create a groundbreaking new series of modular eco work pods at the site. 

They are going to be innovative building structures, resulting in 63% (total kg CO2e) improvement compared to a traditional new build in Hackney Wick. 

WHERE?

The Olympic Park’s ViewTube has long been a sustainably-designed hub consisting of makers’ studios, bike hire, a café and gardens, all based around reclaimed shipping containers tucked away in the trees, yet still super-close to the London Stadium and ABBA Voyage.

WHO?

This project is a collaboration between us (HWFI CDT), PoplarHARCA (who operate the ViewTube) and Jon Baker from HUSK, who specialises in modular and reusable buildings, constructed using materials and methods that minimise embodied carbon.

HOW?

Together, our group will establish a space where the community can come and work that embodies all the key principles of the circular economy. The structure’s modular design allows for maximum flexibility and adaptability, ensuring long-term viability of the space for all kinds of different uses. It can easily be reconfigured as tenants and their needs change, and can simply be lifted onto the back of a lorry and transferred to another site one day, too, all of which mean what we build will have a really long and useful lifespan.

WHY?

Loads of reasons!

Environmental Impact: We can make that bold claim above regarding our lower carbon footprint on this project through a combination of minimising waste, reusing materials and operating the structures in a brilliantly efficient way since flexibility is built in from the word go.

Adaptability: HUSK is a foundationless building system, so it’s designed to be disassembled and relocated easily. Not only is that good ensuring we can continue to support our tenants even when our lease is up, but HWFI CDT will be the owner of the units,  and can locate them on any future sites on which we hold leases.

Positive local impact: The successful delivery of the ViewTube Carbon Offset Project will contribute more vital affordable workspace for the local community - which is a key part of our mission. It will also serve as a model for building further circular economy initiatives in our area, that support local people’s needs while minimising negative environmental impacts.

Proof of Concept: this project aims to demonstrate the viability and sustainability benefits of a modular, reusable building system, and will be benchmarked as a real alternative to traditional construction methods. After learning from this site, the model could easily then be rolled out to provide additional affordable workspaces with a low carbon impact across multiple sites in the area, and beyond.

Make sure you’re signed up to the HWFI CDT newsletter below 👇 for the latest updates as this project goes forwards.

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