Joel de Mowbray, founder of the design collective Yes Make, has opened Tipping Point East (TPE) in Newham, the largest hub of its kind in the UK dedicated to circular construction. The 20,000 sq metre site salvages materials from demolition and refurbishment, processing them for reuse at low cost.
De Mowbray's journey began in 2020 when he saw Lambeth council felling trees while he was building a seating area, yet he had to source wood from Ashdown Forest. That experience led him to convert a milk float into a logging vehicle and start salvaging materials. TPE now partners with Resolve Collective and Material Cultures to provide reclaimed items from museums, galleries, and buildings.
The materials yard stocks glass, sinks, pipes, and timber at prices as low as 10% of commercial cost. The hub also offers training and study visits to demystify construction and improve skills. Tom and Jerry, saw millers from National Saw Mills, demonstrated portable sawmilling to students from Central Saint Martins on a 105-year-old sequoia.
De Mowbray says: 'We're creating a regenerative supply chain for the city we love.' However, challenges remain: TPE has had to turn away 10,000 fire doors because they couldn't be processed. The hub has a five-year lease and aims to prove that such initiatives can reduce waste and provide a more nimble future for UK construction.
