The Frieze London art fair takes place in temporary pavilions in Regent’s Park, London, on October 15-19. To avoid generating big amounts of waste at the end of the fair, Hydro customer A Studio Between wanted to use a circular material for the façade.
“We see increasing demand from architects and designers for materials that can reduce waste and the overall environmental impact, while at the same time meet stringent technical requirements. Recycled aluminium already comes with a low footprint and can be fully recycled at the end of life,” says Henning Flaig, Vice President Commercial in Hydro Extrusion Europe.
The aluminium façade is made of 4.5 meter high aluminium profiles, originally developed for transport infrastructure, but repurposed for this project. The profiles were produced by Hydro’s Extrusions plant Tibshelf in the UK, and the material is Hydro Recycled Aluminium.
Architecture meets circular aluminium
Hydro provided technical support in adapting the extrusion profiles to meet the design’s modular logic and weather performance requirements. In addition, the extruded aluminium profiles are designed to be disassembled, stored and reused over multiple editions of the fair. Over time, the components may evolve with new configurations, and if ever retired, re-enter Hydro’s recycling loop.
Aluminium is particularly suited to this model. Its durability, corrosion resistance and structural efficiency make it ideal for repeated use. Moreover, because aluminium is infinitely recyclable, the end-of-life scenario remains clear.
In 2024, A Studio Between reimagined the fair’s architecture by using recycled and reusable fibreboard, kit components and mesh cladding in the design. This year, they are taking their approach further by extending reuse to the pavilions that make up the crucial entrance and arrival buildings.
“Aluminium was chosen for its durability, lightness and weather resistance. The recyclability of aluminium has allowed us to build a structure with both beauty and longevity in mind, even if its physical presence each year is temporary,” says Richard J. McConkey, founder of A Studio Between.
Aligning with Hydro’s circular ambitions
This project aligns directly with Hydro’s strategic ambitions in recycled and low-carbon aluminium and circular building materials. Hydro Recycled Aluminium is increasingly used in architecture and building systems.
Hydro has in recent years invested in expanding its recycling operations and capacity across Europe and North America, reinforcing its role in keeping aluminium in the loop instead of losing it as waste. Since launching its ambitious recycling growth agenda in 2020, Hydro has recycled more than 1.4 million tonnes of post-consumer scrap. Hydro’s strategy is to increase its annual recycling of post-consumer scrap to between 850,000 and 1.2 million tonnes by 2030.
About Frieze
Frieze is a leading global contemporary art organization, recognized for its art fairs, publications and digital presence. Founded in 1991 with the launch of frieze magazine, the brand has grown to encompass seven of the most significant art fairs worldwide in cities including Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Seoul. These events attract leading artists, galleries and collectors, fostering innovative dialogues and practices within the art community.
Frieze magazine continues to set the benchmark for insightful art criticism and commentary, while frieze.com serves as a vital online resource. Committed to expanding the reach and understanding of contemporary art, Frieze also hosts year round curated programs and associated initiatives, such as No.9 Cork Street, Frieze House Seoul and Frieze Connect, that enrich the cultural landscape. With a dedicated team passionate about the arts, Frieze remains at the forefront of artistic exploration and cultural discourse, connecting diverse audiences with groundbreaking artists and their work. Frieze is part of MARI, a new company that powers, leads and grows world defining live events and experiences, delivering iconic moments that move culture globally.
About A Studio Between
A Studio Between is a design and architectural practice based in London, working at the intersection of spatial design, material innovation, and cultural context. The studio is known for its adaptive reuse strategies and thoughtful material applications, often collaborating deeply to reimagine how spaces can be built responsibly. Their work with Frieze London reflects an ongoing commitment to circular design, architecture, and systems that reduce environmental impact while elevating form and experience.
Published: October 16, 2025
