Scottish ‘eco’ building bricks made from rubble used in rebuilt London theatre
“We are proud that a product developed in Scotland has played a role in bringing such an important cultural building to life” – Sam Chapman, Kenoteq
Bricks made by a Scottish sustainable construction specialist have been used to create the striking new façade of one of London's most distinctive small theatres.
The K-Briq, which is the flagship product of Edinburgh-based Kenoteq, has taken centre stage in the transformation of the Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick.
Designed by award-winning Takero Shimazaki Architects, the new 220-seat venue replaces The Yard’s original theatre and is more than twice the size. Sustainability has been embedded throughout the development, with low carbon materials, natural ventilation and environmentally conscious design principles helping shape the finished building.
The Scottish firm’s magenta, blue and yellow bricks have helped create the venue’s new identity. The K-Briq is said to produce around 95 per cent fewer carbon emissions than traditional clay bricks, with their use on the project estimated to have saved in the region of 3.5 tonnes of embodied carbon.
The original Yard Theatre was created in 2011 when artistic director Jay Miller and dozens of volunteers transformed a warehouse using reclaimed materials from the Olympic Park. Fifteen years later, its new permanent home has again put reuse and sustainability at the centre of the building’s story.
Sam Chapman, co-founder and executive director of Kenoteq, said: “The Yard Theatre has always been a place that does things differently, so it feels incredibly fitting that its new home has been built using materials that challenge traditional approaches to construction.
“What makes this project special is that sustainability is not hidden away. The K-Briq forms part of the building’s public face and shows how lower carbon materials can help create buildings that are every bit as distinctive, creative and memorable as their conventional counterparts.
“We are proud that a product developed in Scotland has played a role in bringing such an important cultural building to life.”
Takero Shimazaki said: “The Yard Theatre’s material palette brings the project’s ethos to life, combining resourcefulness, creativity and sustainability. Reused materials sit alongside innovative products such as Kenoteq’s K-Briq, a construction waste-based brick that delivers both environmental benefits and visual impact.
“Its striking magenta, blue and yellow colours take their cue from Hackney Wick’s vibrant graffiti culture, rooting the theatre in its local context while expressing optimism for the next generation of artists and performers.”
Kenoteq recently secured almost £900,000 in fresh backing as part of an ongoing funding round. The investment was led by Kelvin Capital alongside the Scottish Enterprise Co-Investment Fund and several existing investors who have chosen to increase their backing of the business.
The first tranche of funding will support the next phase of the firm’s commercial growth, increasing production capacity of its flagship product, while accelerating delivery across a growing pipeline of projects in the healthcare, hospitality and commercial sectors.
The K-Briq is manufactured using almost 100 per cent recycled construction and demolition waste. The brick has already been used on projects across the UK and Europe, including Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre, Oaklands College in St Albans, interiors for Gail’s Bakery and a sustainability-focused retail project in Germany.
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