Fostering Sustainable Innovation at Cardiff School of Art & Design, Cardiff Met

In the heart of Cardiff School of Art & Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University, a five-week entrepreneurial initiative has kicked off, bringing together students from architecture, interior design, product development, fashion, graphic design, makers, ceramicists, and fine artists.

I was invited to deliver this cross disciplinary workshop with the mission “To tackle the extensive issue of construction waste through innovative solutions with a focus on the principles of circular economy”.

And with that I managed to secure prominent industry leaders to participate and present their businesses along with their waste challenges they encounter and set the students a challenge.   

Rodney Bender from Innovative Glass Products

Rodney Bender from Innovative Glass Products was first external business to talk about his work and present the students his waste challenge. He brought a unique perspective, shedding light on the versatile applications of glass in both architectural and product design development and created a great interest amongst the students. This valuable interaction not only broadened the students’ horizons but also fuelled their creativity as they embarked on the next five weeks to redefine the future of construction.

Following Rodney Bender's presentation, the students were privileged to witness a compelling collaboration between Morgan Sindall Construction and Alumasc Roofing. These two prominent industry leaders delivered engaging talks, contributing an additional dimension to the discourse by sharing valuable insights into their sustainability practices and presenting thought-provoking challenges for the aspiring entrepreneurs. An exciting opportunity was unveiled for the students: to design something impactful for the Abergavenny King Henry 3-18 School, utilizing waste pallets or waste glass. This unique opportunity not only kickstarted their engagement in a live project but also held the potential for them to secure their first commission. The students were thrilled to have the chance to turn their innovative ideas into reality and showcase their talents in a professional setting.

Peter Stonebridge from Alumasc Roofing

Connor Thurston from Morgan Sindall Construction

And finally a Consultant Anaesthetist in University Hospital of Wales is looking to find a solution to their glass containers that contain medical residue that cannot go through normal waste recycling. This is a challenge that can save millions of pounds for NHS if a solution is found, and it bridges between product design and service design. 

Matthew Davies from Alumasc Roofing

The core focus of the project lies in marrying innovative thinking with business acumen, weaving a narrative of sustainable ventures that not only minimize waste but also create economic value. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, these students will be designing and developing solutions; with a focus on a sustainable future. The project’s culmination will see them presenting a comprehensive business case, of which the industry leaders are welcome back to a Dragons Dens style pitch.