Compost Toilet Co-Build #2

`“I’m building confidence to change the voice in my head that YES I can use power tools in construction”

— Karol, Compost Toilet Co-builder

As we work through our Site As A Classroom to safely open up live construction processes as practical invitations to learn, imagine, and build regenerative futures together, we warmly invite you to join us in completing the construction of a new self-contained compost toilet facility on the Neighbourhood Public Square site.

This second phase of our compost toilet co-build will build on the progress of our first, with a focus on:

*Constructing a 7m ramp to ensure the facility is wheelchair-accessible

*Finishing the cladding around the base of the structure

Alongside the co-build, biologist and santitation systems legend ffin Jordão — the lead designer behind our compost toilet system — will be adding further social and ecological features to the existing system, including rainwater harvesting, a hand-washing system, liquid/solid separation, and natural filtration beds. While not all of this work will be part of the hands-on build, you'll be on site to see it come together with opportunities to learn more over our shared lunches.

Whether you came along to our first co-build or are joining for the first time, this is a great opportunity to learn practical building skills, work alongside neighbours, and contribute to an important piece of our shared civic infrastructure on site.

Over the course of the week, we’ll continue to collectively build the essential infrastructure to meet our shared social foundations while on site — and at the same time, design to demonstrate how our on site systems can start to embody the deeper shifts required in how we shape our built environment to nurture social and ecological regeneration as we face increasing risks in possible 3ºC climate futures.

This co-build will be about posturing towards regenerative stewardship of water, soil, and materials. The build will incorporate bio-based and reused materials, sourced from suppliers identified in our Building Skills research.

We’re opening up this construction process to a small team of co-builders to lend a hand over two days — Wednesday 20th + Thursday 21st August.

No prior construction experience is needed.

Please note: due to the nature of the build, there is limited spaces available to join. We ask that you only sign up for the days you can definitly commit to for the full duration, and that if you have signed up to a day and can no longer make it, please let Cat know at catriona@civicsquare.cc

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WHAT TO EXPECT

The co-build will evolve live across the week, with new stages unfolding each day. While we’ll follow a rough structure, this is a real-time working build — so expect some flexibility and flow throughout.

Day 1 (Weds) – introduction + tool induction* (AM) & cutting timbers to length (PM)

Day 2 (Thurs) - assembly & installation

Some tasks will be hands-on; others observational or light-touch. All contributions are valuable. Join us for both or one of the days — just let us know your availability when registering.

Lunch will be provided daily by The Floating Front Room, our neighbourhood cafe on the canal.

Please note: this week is focused on the physical build. In-depth learning sessions exploring the compost toilet system, its design, and broader reflections will take place later this year.

*To ensure our collective health and safety, anyone who cannot attend the tool induction on Tuesday morning will be limited to non-motorised tools.

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IS THIS FOR ME?

This opportunity could be for you if you’re curious about:

— Getting involved in the live, evolving co-build of the Neighbourhood Public Square site

— Exploring compost toilet systems and their urban applications

— Engaging with regenerative building practices and learning through making

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ABOUT RAE

We’ll be joined again by Rae Edwards, a traditional woodworker, tiny home builder, and peer from our recent Re:Builders Learning Journey, who has led the design of our compost toilet timber structure. Rae and team will lead the construction process, supported by the CIVIC SQUARE team.

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ABOUT THE SITE

This session takes place on the Neighbourhood Public Square site.

As we prepare to begin the construction of Neighbourhood Public Square together, we are very committed and excited to keep the site as open as possible. In order to make this work, we invite you to adopt new postures together with us and adhere to some important principles for taking care and keeping each other safe on site.

— This activity is only open to adults and children aged 16+

— Closed toed shoes or boots must be worn

— We will also provide any additional safety equipment that is required on your arrival, including hi vis vests which are to be worn at all times on site

— The ground is uneven in places, please navigate carefully and look out for each other

— Toilet facilities will be available offsite, at the entrance of South Loop Park

— No food or uncovered drinks inside the polytunnel

— Do not go beyond the designated areas, indicated by heras fencing and floor markings

— Please listen and respect any care guidance shared by our team and practitioners on site, for whom your safety if their number one priority.

— Please read our Site Safety Protocols. You will be asked to review these upon arrival.

If further information would support your visit, please contact Cat on catriona@civicsquare.cc. You can also let us know about any specific access requirements you may have during the sign up process, and where possible we will of course seek to meet these, whilst also being honest about the limitations of the current infrastructure where needed to ensure you have any information you may need before attending.

We thank you for your understanding and collaboration whilst we hold the constraints and opportunities of working in close proximity to former industrial buildings which are currently undergoing surveys to gain a full picture of their condition, whilst we keep trying to practice as openly as possible together during this time, and throughout the construction stages to come.

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ABOUT SITE AS A CLASSROOM

Site As A Classroom is a long-term collective practice to ensure every phase of designing, building, repairing and stewarding the Neighbourhood Public Square site is an open, welcoming, and shared opportunity for learning together in our neighbourhood and beyond."

Together, we are a commitment to this land as a site of reimagination, reuse and repair; a place to learn, build, eat, grow, care and organise; a home for the capacities, skills and relationships we need to face the challenges and possibilities ahead together, held in common for the neighbourhood for generations to come."—Neighbourhood Public Square: The Land Story So FarOur intention is for our team, the neighbourhood, and wider national and industrial scales to learn from the ongoing demonstration through Neighbourhood Public Square in real-time, as well as informing how we learn from what the site, ecoregion, neighbourhood, peers, and precedents can continue to teach us, without end.

This builds on so many experiences we have shared with you all so far including Doughnut Economics Peer-To-Peer Learning Journeys, Ecological Health in Neighbourhoods, Neighbourhood Trade School, Material Matter[s], Re:Builders, Retrofit Reimagined, learning from Centre For Alternative Technology, The Rediscovery Centre, Le Magasin Électrique, Ubele Initiative, Freedom & Balance, and countless others.

Site As A Classroom is an open invitation to bring the skills you have, your energy, curiosity, and lived wisdoms to help shape and co-produce this next phase of discovery and demonstration together through everyday participation, co-builds and a range of open enquiries that we are excited to share in together.

Find out more: bit.ly/PublicSquareDesign

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