Useful Projects

"No design brief I have ever seen has required a plan for end-of-life recovery." For nearly three decades, Professor Sophie Thomas has challenged how we design, consume, and discard. From leading The Great Recovery to pioneering sustainable materials, she has driven circular design thinking forward. Sophie spoke to Katie Walsh, Founder of THE RE-PETE PROJECT- a fellow B Corp transitioning the fashion industry from linear to circular - to answer 10 questions, sharing her insights on why designers must rethink the process, working backwards to drive progress, and the vital role of collaboration across the supply chain. 🔗 Read the interview in full here - https://lnkd.in/eTG3nznd Thomas.Matthews | Useful Simple Trust  #CircularEconomy #SustainableDesign #RethinkingWaste 

Our For People, City and Planet, mixed use masterplan Hartree in Northeast Cambridge has made The Pineapple Awards shortlist in the ‘Future Place’ category, with The Developer and Festival of Place Working together with LandsecU+I and TOWN. with Cambridge City Council and Anglian Water Services we have developed a new, much-needed type of responsive 5-minute place with good streets and quality public realm - open to everyone - connected and rooted in Cambridge. There are so many takeaways from this project, and it’s been such a pleasure to support this ‘real’ and highly progressive vision. What has made it special was the dedication to the Quality of Life Framework alongside a long-term public engagement; working hard to reach out to existing communities in all sorts of innovative ways; festivals, ideas exchange and workshops. By taking a granular approach, including a vivid mix of different types of homes (40% affordable, cohousing and more), tenures and plots, where active ground floors contain a blend of commercial as well as community amenities including culture and workshops; we have shaped a masterplan for an active town environment, a supportive place and neighbourhood, long-term regenerative and one day there to enjoy. With a focus on health and wellbeing, the wild, biodiverse, green-blue landscape designed by LOLA Landscape Architects integrates Hartree within nature and the adjacent Fens. The promise is to meet 20% BNG, partly through the Playline and other key green spaces and networks that enable children and the greater community to move freely, safely and pleasantly to school, work, Cambridge North Station, and beyond. Thank you to the whole client team, Cambridge Shared Planning Service, councillors and the general public, for willingness to engage in such a constructive and open manner. And of course, the fantastic team of specialists including Useful Projects, Pell Frischmann Bell Phillips, Carter Jonas, Haworth Tompkins and ECF. With special mention to 5th Studio, Feilden Fowles, NOOMA Studio and Alison Brooks Architects Winners will be announced at the Festival of Place in London, April 2025.

This week’s announcement by The Crown Estate is a significant step forward in tackling some of the UK’s housing challenges. By partnering with visionaries such as GS8, igloo Regeneration, and TOWN., these projects aim to redefine what is possible in sustainable design, energy-efficient construction, and creating inclusive, thriving communities. These initiatives in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Cheshire are opportunities for local communities to shape how housing can reflect their needs and aspirations while setting a new standard for the industry. We look forward to working alongside igloo, TOWN and The Crown Estate, to set a new model for housing delivery that brings long-term benefits the communities they serve within planetary limits.  🔗 View the announcement in full here - https://lnkd.in/eev-FX4w.  Useful Simple Trust | Useful Projects  #HousingInnovation #CommunityBuilding #SME

🎉 Introducing the Future Leaders cohort for 2025! Today, this group of talented young professionals begins their sustainability leadership programme with a kick-off call. For the next six months, they will develop the skills and confidence to drive transformational change in their organisations and across the sector! Want to be part of next year's cohort? Find out more here https://lnkd.in/ePAcJSuz 🌟 This year's Future Leaders are: Alex Benstead, UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Andrew Vann, NDY Anna Biggs, Useful Simple Trust Ariane Ephraïm, Workspace Group Cecilia Skarupa, Building Atlas Farah Husayni, JLL Francesca Wilkinson, Willmott Dixon Guy Elder, Troup Bywaters + Anders Kerstin Fenelon, The Crown Estate Kirsty Girvan, UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Laura Solarino, Arup Lauren Longfellow, The Crown Estate Liam Bright, tp bennett Lucy Carnaby-Hayes, Savills Matthew Barratt, CBRE Rebecca Dilnot, World Green Building Council Toby Sowood, Mace Victoria Gallagher, David Chipperfield Architects Will Heffernan, Troup Bywaters + Anders

We are seeking an experienced Associate Structural Engineer to bring strong design, delivery, and leadership skills to our Structures team. This role offers the opportunity to lead exciting projects, mentor a talented team, and contribute to research and innovation in structural engineering. ✅ As an Associate, you will ensure the successful delivery of projects aligned with our ethos and objectives, while also playing a key role in commercial management and business development. ✨ This role is ideal for someone with a blend of technical expertise, leadership potential, and a passion for building meaningful client relationships. Learn more and apply here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/exZ8kE3e.  Useful Simple Trust  #AssociateStructuralEngineer #StructuralEngineering #JobVacancy  

We are seeking an Associate Director to play a pivotal role in advancing energy planning. This is a rare opportunity to work on pioneering energy transition projects with forward-thinking clients, helping shape a more sustainable future. As part of our Sustainability Masterplanning team, you will collaborate across Expedition Engineering Ltd and Useful Projects to create and implement innovative net zero strategies. Your role will include: 🟢 Shaping business strategy as part of our leadership team. 🌱 Overseeing impactful project delivery while mentoring and growing our energy team. ♻️ Leading key projects such as energy strategies for developments, decarbonisation plans, feasibility studies, and district energy concepts. 👥 Working with a mix of private and public organisations, tackling challenges across regional, district, and building scales. If you are looking to lead in the energy transition and thrive in shaping solutions that make a difference, we would love to hear from you. Explore this opportunity and apply here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e_sWhrdv Useful Simple Trust #AssociateDirector #EnergyAndCarbon #Engineering 

🚨 New Vacancy Alert 🚨 We are looking for a Chartered Engineer to take a leading role in delivering impactful structural engineering projects. As a Senior Structural Engineer, you will: ⚙️ Manage small engineering projects or key components of larger ones, ensuring alignment with objectives and our core values. 💫 Lead and coordinate teams to deliver high-quality results. 🤝 Play a pivotal role in training and mentoring colleagues, helping to shape the next generation of talent. 🧠 Develop your skills, with tailored support and a clear focus on professional growth. If you are driven by meaningful work, technical excellence, and the opportunity to mentor and lead, we would love to hear from you. Learn more and apply here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/epbwSuBf. Useful Simple Trust #SeniorStructuralEngineer #StructuralEngineering #JobVacancy 

The UK’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are here. Shifting the cost of packaging disposal from taxpayers to producers, this change aims to reduce material footprints, encourage sustainable packaging, and revolutionise the design industry. Sophie Thomas, Founding Director of Thomas.Matthews, joined Margaret Bates to discuss the role of designers in this shift with Rob Alderson at Design Week: EPR aims to mainstream sustainability conversations, empowering designers to push for responsible solutions, and it is crucial that designers engage clients in positive conversations about future-proofing their packaging strategies as the financial and environmental stakes rise. 🗨️ As Sophie explains: “Every brief needs to be rewritten, and every step needs to be rethought. We need to stop designing for obsolescence and start building things to last. If a client wants to use something that’s beautiful but not recyclable, then they could end up paying considerably more. The responsibility of the designer to really understand the materials becomes very critical at that point.” More than just regulation, this is an opportunity for innovation – a brilliant step forward, not just for packaging, but for design sustainability overall. Read the article in full here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZCVanWU. #PackagingDesign #CircularEconomy #Innovation 

Our collaborators and fellow B Corp, igloo Regeneration, have published their Impact Report which is well worth a look. We are looking forward to continuing our long-term relationship with igloo in 2025, to map out and implement igloo’s pathway to net zero at a project level. #ImpactReport #BCorp #SustainabilityConsultancy

As the year draws to a close, we at Useful Projects and Useful Simple Trust want to thank our clients, friends, and collaborators for being part of our journey. Together we have pushed boundaries, created impact, and continued to work hard to benefit people and planet. This year, our collective work has been a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation, and we want to thank you for your partnership and trust. Wishing you a happy holiday and New Year filled with joy, peace, and continued success. Let’s keep trailblazing together in 2025! This year, in memory of our dear friend and colleague Simon Bradbury, we are supporting Melonoma Focus - https://lnkd.in/eZgT5Jwb. #HappyHolidays #SeasonsGreetings #MerryChristmas