Upcycled Community Pavilion
Making the invisible goal visible—using recycled materials to transform public spaces and raise awareness.

Overview
Waste has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
In 2021, less than 6% of plastic waste was recycled in Hong Kong, while globally, around 80% of plastic bottles still end up in landfills. Awareness alone is not enough; meaningful change happens only when people are reminded, engaged, and take action together.
Our project began with a simple idea: to take one small, repeatable action that could make this invisible problem visible—by transforming discarded materials into shared spaces for learning and gathering.

The System
We developed an adaptable construction system that turns waste plastic bottles into modular community pavilions.
At the core of the system lies a 3D-printable joint that connects bottle caps and curved surfaces at variable angles. Within our digital framework, parameters such as joint size, angle, and curvature can be freely adjusted, allowing the structure to respond to local design intentions.
The system is designed for collective participation. We collaborate with NGOs and researchers to collect materials, secure sites, and organize workshops with local citizens. Each pavilion is built through two workshop phases: one for concept development, and another for fabrication and assembly on site.
The process is simple, educational, and deeply collaborative—bridging material science, digital design, and community engagement.

The Pilot Pavilion
Our first prototype was proposed for Tamar Park in Hong Kong, designed using up to 10,000 recycled bottles to demonstrate how waste materials could be transformed into public architecture. The pavilion provides shade and space for community gatherings in a subtropical climate, serving as a symbolic reminder of shared environmental responsibility. In the proposed design, columns are stabilized with bottles filled with water and sand, while solar-powered LED strips are woven through the structure to glow at night.
After one year of display, the installation would be disassembled, with every component reused or recycled for future projects.

The Vision Ahead
Following the pilot project in Hong Kong, our goal is to expand this initiative worldwide.
Our algorithmic blueprint can be adapted to different cultural contexts, recycling systems, and environmental conditions—ensuring that each pavilion reflects the identity and traditions of its community.
To scale up, we seek collaboration and support from motivated, forward-thinking partners.
We welcome invitations from anywhere in the world—ready to lead on-site workshops or provide remote guidance with our skills and experience.
Together, we aim to build a global network of Upcycled Community Pavilions—enduring symbols of collective action, local pride, and creative reuse.