Landscape design and traditional construction are experiencing a sustainability revolution. With embodied carbon accounting for over 50% of a building or exterior's total carbon footprint, the materials we choose matter more than ever. Cleantech company Kenoteq is addressing this challenge head-on with the low carbon K-BRIQ and K-SLIP, revolutionary building and exterior materials that are transforming both construction and landscape design using circular economy principles.
Beyond Greenwashing: Addressing Root Causes
Kenoteq tackles the root cause of environmental impact by turning almost 100% recycled construction and demolition waste into durable, low-carbon materials. This approach directly addresses resource depletion together with waste generation, rather than focusing purely on improving existing production methods.
Sam Chapman, Kenoteq's co-founder, brings a unique perspective to the circular economy conversation. "We deal with the cause, not the symptoms," he explains. "Whereas everybody else is digging material out of the ground and trying to modify the symptoms of limited resources, construction waste and CO2 emissions with different energy sources, we're offering alternatives so finite materials aren’t used in the first place."
Award-Winning Results
Recent high-profile projects demonstrate how circular materials can enhance both aesthetic and ecological value in landscape design. At this year’s RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival, K-BRIQs formed the sculptural wall in Mike McMahon Studio's multi-award-winning Subaru Cocoon Garden, which swept the awards ceremony with accolades including Best Show Garden, Best Construction Award and the Environmental Innovation Award.
The Hampton Court project exemplifies Kenoteq's philosophy. The perforated K-BRIQ wall not only defined the garden space but also served multiple ecological functions – the natural holes in the bricks acted as insect hotels for pollinators, while the sustainable material choice underscored the garden's commitment to environmental responsibility.
At Bord Bia Bloom in Dublin, Ireland's leading garden festival, K-SLIP paving formed part of The 3D Gardener and Conquest Space's gold-winning garden for the European Commission's "Renewed Blooms" Garden. This focused specifically on circular economy principles.
Technical Excellence Meets Sustainability
By reimagining waste streams as valuable resources for landscape architecture, Kenoteq’s products are now highly sought after in the UK and internationally and specified in numerous projects. The company’s recent BBA certification milestone also demonstrates that truly circular products can match or exceed traditional performance standards. The K-BRIQ underwent 16 rigorous tests over several years and achieved the maximum durability rating possible. With the best soluble salts rating of S2, the K-BRIQ will not suffer from the staining of efflorescence, thereby retaining its aesthetic appeal.
With ultra-low embodied carbon of less than 20g CO2e per unit – 95% lower than traditional fired clay bricks or pavers – the K-BRIQ represents a major advancement in sustainable construction materials.
The regular sized bricks and slips are available in 12 colours using recycled pigments.Kenoteq offers architects and landscape designers aesthetic flexibility without compromising environmental performance – proving that sustainable materials can elevate rather than limit creative possibilities in landscape design.
For technical specifications, visit www.kenoteq.com
