Designing Foundry with Useful Studio, x+why Birmingham

Officially opening in May 2022, Foundry is a B Corp certified flex office space for creative and innovative entrepreneurs, conveniently located in the heart of Brindleyplace, Birmingham. For our latest opening, we partnered with Useful Studio - a fellow B Corp committed to using business as a force for good in the world of architecture and design. With wellbeing, collaboration, and fun at the heart of this entrepreneurial hub, Foundry is more than just a place to put your laptop, it’s a destination for business and personal development. Alongside a thriving community are amenities that the largest of corporates would be proud of - ranging from event space to a tech-enabled gym.

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What is the Useful Studio mission statement?

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We are an architecture and design practice committed to being a force for good in the built environment. We benefit from being in a collective under the umbrella of the Useful Simple Trust.

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The Useful Simple Trust is a family of professional design practices driving change. Our experienced and committed engineers, architects, designers and strategists work side-by-side, and with our clients and users, to deliver valuable outcomes with positive impact. Our structure creates real value for our clients, beneficiaries and wider society.

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As a B Corp social enterprise and employee-owned organisation we do things differently. Our people are highly motivated and committed because our values mean that our combined success is shared equitably.

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Could you explain a little more about the SKA?

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SKA Rating is led and owned by RICS and is an environmental assessment for non-domestic fit outs. It is an excellent tool for supporting and guiding the delivery of healthy, circular and sustainable fit outs and we can vouch for the benefits having achieved SKA Gold in our own office which we designed and then occupied for 5 years.

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Through post occupancy evaluation we could see the evidence of positive outcomes associated with the SKA influence. This value add was reinforced when we handed the space back to our landlord. Rather than strip out, the landlord recognised the value of a sustainable and timeless fit out and retained the scheme for re-letting. This saved money and time but importantly, materials.

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What is the role of architecture and design in creating more sustainable communities?

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We have a responsibility to consider each project on its merits but to also consider the wider impact on the environment and the community. Using design and decision making in the early stages we can ensure a project capitalises on local labour and materials and drives up-skilling and opportunity.  

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What are some of the projects that Useful Studio has fostered?

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We work in 3 key areas to include commercial office, education, and in public realm and urbanism to include placemaking and bridges. Repurposing and reuse are our forte and we have developed 3 working principles to include zero maintenance, zero waste and long life through our projects and research.  Recent projects include the award-winning Chiswick Bridge (next door to the x+why Chiswick office!) a zero-carbon refurbishment of a listed mill in Leeds and an estate wide strategy for a mixed use site in Clapham.

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What are some of the impacts you’ve had on the new x+why space in Birmingham?

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We have supported the team with design decisions and product specifications, both during the design and while on site and in partnership with the contractor. By joining early, we were able to offer alternative approaches that led to reduced carbon and increased re-use.

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How do your services compare to that of other providers?

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Most of our client are repeat clients and we typically form long term relationships. We love this way of working as we can align with others that have a shared purpose. Acting as a Trusted Advisor means we provide support from the very early stages, when critical decisions are made, and targets are set.  Being socially and environmentally responsible is in our DNA and forms the basis of every decision we make.

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What does being a B Corp mean to you?

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We have been an Employee Benefit Trust for over a decade, a social enterprise for several years and a B Corp since 2020. Being a B Corp is at the root of what we do - socially and environmentally driven with transparency and purpose. And importantly, being part of a collective. The Trust has that character and B Corp expands that community further. Strength in numbers. And we love the goal setting and constant spirit of being better and doing more.

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Tell us a little more about the Useful Simple Trust?

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We were formed 12 years ago, as an Employee Benefit Trust. We are comprised of 4 brands to include Useful Studio, Architecture - Expedition Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineers - Useful Projects, Sustainability Consultants - Thomas Matthews, Communication and Graphics / Wayfinding.  The purpose of the Trust is to blaze a trail in the field of integrated, intelligent and ethical provision of the human and natural environment. Alongside our project work we teach, write policy, lead campaigns and engage in numerous speaking events.

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Tell us a little more about your SDG action manager course

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B Corp have produced a tool in partnership with the UN Global Compact called the SDG Action Manager. This aligns with the Impact Assessment but is not required for certification. It is an excellent tracker for performance against the SDG’s and is full of tips and resource while also giving a business a framework for impact. It encourages a common language and purpose. We have mapped to SDG 9 in particular:  Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, recording our carbon reduction efforts and innovation to reduce material use in multiple sectors.

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What are your sources of inspiration?

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Nature, communities, social enterprises, children, history, cities, each other, our clients, research, educators, and teachers.  

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How can more communities be encouraged to share your mission and vision?

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Through sharing, generosity, curiosity, campaigning and by example. We need to be great listeners, be responsible, and collaborate.

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