Last weekend, at the Frieze London 2025 art fair in Regent’s Park, architecture and sustainability came together in striking form. Hydro, in collaboration with A Studio Between, delivered a fully recycled and reusable aluminium façade that transformed the fair’s temporary pavilions into a showcase of circular construction.

The façade formed part of the event’s entrance and arrival structures, which greeted thousands of visitors between 15 and 19 October. Built using Hydro Recycled Aluminium produced at the company’s Tibshelf Extrusions plant in the UK, the project demonstrated how low-carbon materials can redefine the temporary architecture of cultural events.

A Modular Façade Designed for Reuse

The aluminium profiles — 4.5 metres high — were originally developed for transport infrastructure but re-engineered by Hydro’s technical team to fit the fair’s modular layout and weather-resistance requirements. The system was designed to be disassembled, stored, and reused for future editions of Frieze London, avoiding the waste typically associated with temporary constructions.

“Architects and designers are increasingly demanding materials that reduce waste and carbon impact while maintaining performance,” said Henning Flaig, Vice President Commercial at Hydro Extrusion Europe. “Recycled aluminium already carries a very low footprint and can be recycled again and again without loss of quality.”

From Temporary to Timeless

The design continued A Studio Between’s exploration of sustainable construction, following its 2024 concept that featured recycled fibreboard and modular components. “Aluminium allowed us to create a structure that combines durability and elegance,” explained Richard J. McConkey, founder of A Studio Between. “Even though it stands for only a few days each year, it’s built with longevity in mind.”

Aluminium’s corrosion resistance, light weight and structural strength make it ideally suited for repeated use — and its infinite recyclability ensures that even when retired, every component can return to Hydro’s recycling loop.

Advancing Circular Architecture

The project forms part of Hydro’s broader ambition to expand its use of recycled and low-carbon aluminium in the built environment. Since launching its circular growth strategy in 2020, the company has recycled more than 1.4 million tonnes of post-consumer scrap and aims to increase annual recycling capacity to between 850,000 and 1.2 million tonnes by 2030.

For both Hydro and A Studio Between, the Frieze London façade was more than an installation — it was proof that circularity and culture can share the same stage. By turning a temporary pavilion into a symbol of sustainability, the project illustrated how materials can hold lasting value even in the most ephemeral settings.