Circular Bike Storage and Modular Planters for Urban Regeneration
Turning Site Waste into Scalable, Circular Infrastructure
When sustainable developers Blueprint Regeneration asked if we could build a communal bike store using surplus materials from their Nottingham construction site, we said yes!
The result is the Circular Bike Store V1, a secure, modular, low-carbon facility built with less than 10% new materials and the launchpad for our brand new modular planter system.
This project demonstrates how circular construction and low carbon design can transform surplus materials into practical, long lasting urban infrastructure.
Circular Design in Action
Meeting sustainability targets on regeneration projects can be tough. Surplus materials pile up, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is required and budgets are tight.
Our solution turned offcuts and reclaimed materials into:
16 secure bike spaces, supporting Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Transport Credits and active travel initiatives.
491 kg reclaimed timber, including posi-joists, roof trusses and fence posts.
135 kg recycled plastic transformed into cladding and modular planters.
40 kg recycled plastic used in a living roof (M-Tray® modular trays from Wallbarn).
Ground screw foundations - zero concrete, fully demountable and reusable.
Drainage fabricated from reclaimed pipework and pallet straps.
Under 10% new material used: OSB (FSB Certified, Carbon Negative), waterproofing and fixings.
Every element is repairable, demountable and designed for long-term reuse, demonstrating what low-impact, high-value circular construction looks like.
A Living Roof for Biodiversity and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
The bike store’s modular living roof adds more than greenery:
Retains up to 70% of rainfall, easing pressure on urban drainage.
Helps reduce local temperatures by mitigating urban heat.
Supports pollinators and ecosystems, boosting biodiversity.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a bike store. It’s a replicable blueprint for regeneration projects:
Turn waste streams into valuable infrastructure
Reduce landfill and procurement costs
Support BNG, Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) and SuDS commitments
Deliver durable, community-facing assets with a story
“Circularity is a vital part of sustainability in construction. This project shows how surplus from the site can be repurposed into a valuable community facility at Trent Basin.”
— Peter Conboy, Development Director, Igloo Regeneration
“Blueprint are proud to back innovation, especially when it’s home grown here in Nottingham. Future Makers aren’t just talking about circularity, they’re making it happen, engaging local students and inspiring the innovators of the future.”
— Sam Veal, Executive Director, Igloo Regeneration
Tristan Hessing, Founder of Future Makers, explains:
"We want to help every regeneration team ask: what could we create from what we already have? From streets to schools to green roofs, circular design has a role everywhere."
Introducing the Modular Planter System
This project gave us the perfect opportunity to launch our modular planters, made from the same 100% recycled plastic as the bike store cladding. They’re designed to green grey spaces and complement urban regeneration projects.
Features:
Durable, weatherproof, UV-stable
Modular: use standalone, line up or combine into benches/barriers
Repairable and 100% recyclable at end of life
Supports BNG, SuDS and ESG goals
Available sizes:
Double Planter: 1200 mm wide
Triple Planter: 1800 mm wide
Corner Planter: 1200 x 1200 mm
L-Shaped Planter: 1200 x 1800 mm
S-Shaped Planter: 1800 x 1800 mm
Enquire about our modular planters here or email us at hello@future-makers.co.uk
Let’s Build What Comes Next, Together
We help developers and contractors:
Map surplus site materials
Design and build circular infrastructure
Enhance ESG and BNG outcomes while cutting procurement costs
At Future Makers, we turn surplus into solutions, helping you build greener, more resilient places.
Get in touch today to explore circular infrastructure for your next project.