Share this
by Sean Hill on Mar 21, 2025
Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainable Materials
Sean Ronnie Hill (SRH): Sam, thanks for taking the time to chat. At RISE Design Studio, we’re always exploring ways to integrate sustainability into architecture in meaningful ways. Your work at Solus, particularly with Spolia for Finsbury Dials by Stiff + Trevillion architects, is a fantastic example of this. Could you start by telling us about the inspiration behind Spolia and how the project came to life?
Sam Frith (SF): Thanks, Sean, I appreciate that. The idea for Spolia was about fundamentally rethinking waste. The construction industry generates an enormous amount of material that often ends up in landfill, and we wanted to challenge that. The opportunity at Finsbury Dials allowed us to explore how we could take demolition materials from the original building and reintroduce them in a refined, high-quality way.
One of the key drivers of the project was proving that reused materials don’t have to look like a compromise. There’s often a perception that recycling leads to something rough or unfinished, but we wanted to show that, when done right, it can actually enhance the aesthetic and tactile qualities of a space. Spolia is a great example of this - rather than treating demolition waste as a problem, we saw it as an opportunity to create something unique and high-end.
Sam Frith, Material Innovation Lead at Solus, shares his insights on rethinking waste in sustainable architecture. With a focus on circular design and material authenticity, Sam discusses how Spolia transforms demolition waste into high-quality surfaces, aligning with low-carbon principles and sustainable building practices - proving that reused materials can be both beautiful and enduring.
Transforming Demolition Waste into a Design Feature
SRH: Reusing materials from the same site makes so much sense - it reduces waste and keeps the project connected to its history. Can you walk us through how the pink granite was transformed into terrazzo?
SF: Absolutely. We took the pink granite from the original building, crushed it into aggregate, and then reconstituted it into a terrazzo surface. The process involved pressing the material, curing it, and then polishing it to achieve a smooth, premium finish. The beauty of this approach is that we weren’t just recycling the material - we were enhancing it.
What’s interesting is how this method extends beyond just sustainability. It adds layers of meaning to the project. The finished terrazzo isn’t just an arbitrary material choice; it carries a physical and historical link to what stood before. That connection to the past, combined with the innovative approach to reuse, makes it feel deeply integrated into the identity of the new space.
SRH: That’s a really powerful statement. Often, the challenge with sustainable design is proving that it can be just as visually compelling as traditional methods. Did you face any resistance in pushing for reused materials in a commercial project like this?
SF: Ten years ago, it would have been much harder to convince stakeholders that this approach made sense. But now, sustainability isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ - it’s becoming an expectation. Serena Frisby from Stiff + Trevillion put it well when she said that architects have a huge influence on shaping material choices. By demonstrating that Spolia could be beautiful, durable, and sustainable, we helped shift perceptions.
That said, there’s still some way to go in terms of overcoming the ingrained habits of the industry. Many developers and contractors default to new materials because it’s the path of least resistance. What we need are more case studies like Finsbury Dials - projects that show reuse is not just possible but preferable.
Sam Frith, Material Innovation Lead at Solus, and Ian Hamilton, Commercial Director at Solus, share their extensive expertise in sustainable materials. In this clip, Sam explains how understanding the unique properties of reclaimed materials can lead to innovative, high-quality design solutions - highlighting the potential of Spolia to transform waste into beauty through circular design and thoughtful reuse. For full length video please click here.
Exploring New Applications for Recycled Materials
SRH: That’s something we’re thinking about a lot right now with our Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club project in Kensal Rise. The club is getting a new pavilion, and we’re keen to find a way to reuse the existing brickwork. Rather than discarding it, we’re wondering whether it could be crushed and incorporated into tiles, much like what you did at Finsbury Dials. Is that something you think is possible?
SF: That’s a really interesting idea! Brick is a fantastic material for reuse - it’s already been fired, so the embodied carbon is locked in, and crushing it into aggregates for terrazzo or even pressed brick tiles could work beautifully. It would depend on the composition of the brick and the finish you’re after, but I’d love to explore that with you. The key is ensuring that the final material remains structurally sound while still celebrating the original texture and colour of the brick.
What’s great about brick is that it often has an inherent warmth and character, which could translate beautifully into a terrazzo or composite tile. It’s also a great way to preserve a connection to the site’s history - imagine a new pavilion that quite literally incorporates the fabric of the old structure.
SRH: That’s exactly what we’re interested in - creating something that feels connected to the club’s history while also reducing waste. How would you suggest testing whether the existing bricks are suitable for reuse in this way?
SF: We’d start with a material analysis to assess their composition and durability. Some older bricks are softer and more porous, which could affect their suitability for terrazzo. If they prove viable, we’d then look at different binding agents and curing techniques to ensure the final product meets the necessary strength and wear-resistance standards.
It would also be worth exploring how we can celebrate the imperfections in the material. Sometimes, when we work with recycled aggregates, we find that leaving slight variations in colour and texture can create a more dynamic and visually interesting surface. It’s about embracing the story of the material rather than trying to erase it.
The new Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club Clubhouse embodies our commitment to low-carbon architecture and circular design principles. By exploring ways to reuse existing materials - such as repurposing brickwork into terrazzo-style surfaces - we are pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction while preserving the site’s history. This project reflects our belief that high-performance, energy-efficient buildings can also be rich in character and craftsmanship.
Expanding the Possibilities of Spolia
SRH: Beyond Finsbury Dials, where do you see this type of reuse going? Are you working on any other projects with Spolia?
SF: Yes, absolutely. Ian Hamilton and I, along with the rest of the Solus team and our factory in Manchester, are actively working on new applications for Spolia. We’re pushing the concept further by allowing clients to introduce their own waste materials into the process. One of the most exciting aspects of this is the ability to incorporate metal and glass objects that are polished into the surface of the terrazzo.
For example, the J Adams shop in Clerkenwell integrates waste from the Benugo café - terracotta flooring, travertine and marble worktops, and even brass waste from their factory in the Midlands. The result is a completely unique surface that not only tells a story but also embodies circularity in a way that feels luxurious.
We’re also developing systems that allow contractors and architects to specify their own site waste for terrazzo production. This means that any project - big or small - can participate in the reuse economy by embedding a piece of its history into its future.
Fragments of the original Finsbury Dials building, salvaged during demolition, are being transformed into a new terrazzo material. These pieces will soon form part of the renovated building - honouring its past while shaping a more sustainable future.
The Future of Sustainable Material Innovation
SRH: From your experience, are clients becoming more open to these types of material innovations?
SF: Absolutely. Ten years ago, it would have been a harder sell, but today, sustainability isn’t just an afterthought - it’s a key driver of design decisions. Spolia was a great example of that. By demonstrating that reconstituted materials could be just as polished and desirable as new ones, we helped shift perceptions. I think the more we normalise this approach, the more clients will actively seek it out.
That said, there’s still work to do in making these solutions more accessible. It’s one thing to implement them on a high-profile commercial project like Finsbury Dials, but we need to ensure they’re viable for smaller-scale developments, too. That’s why your approach at RISE Design Studio is so important - pushing for sustainability in residential and community projects helps to embed these principles across the industry.
SRH: We’re always looking for ways to push sustainability further - not just in terms of operational energy but also in reducing embodied carbon. What do you see as the next big step for material innovation in architecture?
SF: I think circular design principles will continue to grow - materials designed for disassembly and reuse from the outset. Bio-based materials and carbon-negative composites are also gaining traction. But what excites me most is the potential for localised material sourcing - reusing materials directly from a site rather than shipping sustainable products from halfway across the world. That’s where projects like Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club and Finsbury Dials set an important precedent.
Mycelium insulation, made from the root structure of fungi, is a pioneering bio-based material offering natural fire resistance, low embodied carbon, and full compostability. Grown rather than manufactured, it exemplifies circular design and the potential of regenerative materials in sustainable construction.
Final Thoughts & Collaboration
SRH: That’s a really exciting direction. Sam, thanks for sharing your insights - I’m looking forward to seeing how we can collaborate to bring some of these ideas into our projects.
SF: Likewise, Sean. Let’s keep the conversation going - I’d love to see what we can do with those bricks!
Note: This article was created purely out of a shared passion for sustainability, upcycling, and innovative design. We have not received any remuneration for this interview - our conversation with Sam Frith of Solus stems from a mutual dedication to circular design, material reuse, and high-quality, low-carbon architecture that aligns with RISE Design Studio’s values.
Interested in sustainable material innovation?
If you’d like to explore how circular design and material reuse can shape your project, feel free to reach out to our team.
Email: architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk
Call us: 020 3947 5886
RISE Design Studio Architects company reg no: 08129708 VAT no: GB158316403 © RISE Design Studio. Trading since 2011.
