A lithium-ion battery recycling plant and research centre within a public park.

A site that addresses Merthyr Tydfil’s declining labour market, biodiversity and industry using low embodied energy construction within a natural habitat, redefining the forms used within the industrial landscape of Merthyr Tydfil.

Merthyr Tydfil's declining labour market, biodiversity and industry requires drastic change to better the lives of its inhabitants requiring the proposal to:
- act as an anchor, remaining in perpetuity with a degree of adaptability.
- creating and encourage diverse jobs throughout the labour market.
- educate and train new workers and a public.
- focus investment in industry and construction.
- reintroduce native habitats onto the site.

The proposal is a lithium-ion battery recycling plant, with a supporting research facility based within a public park aiming to address the UK’s future demand for EV recycling and urban mining whilst providing jobs throughout the labour market, supporting high-roading regeneration. The form and materials used are inspired by ancient Welsh settlements. Rammed earth walls will bear most of the load with a timber roof form, clad in thatch and slate to protect from weathering. The buildings are scattered throughout a regenerated brownfield site, reintroducing native habitats, grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands, to the centre of Merthyr Tydfil.

As the habitats require around 50 years to mature and the demand of lithium-ion battery recycling to increase in the the coming years, the site aims to remain relevant in the future. Moving forward, the U.K. requires reinvestment in industry to increase prosperity within declining towns and cities, Merthyr Tydfil has the opportunity to regenerate its brownfield sites and invest in more industry and manufacturing.