WASTE MANAGEMENT & WATER TREATMENT Flexible systems: how we enable the future
As the industry leans into retrofit and repurposing existing buildings, flexibility in soil and waste systems is essential. Solutions that can adapt to older building layouts and support modular upgrades are becoming key enablers of circular construction strategies. Jack Clutterbuck, head of water & heating solutions for FloPlast, part of the wienerberger group, explores the challenges, risks and rewards in the future of soil and waste systems
A
s the built environment grapples with the realities of climate change, finite resources, and an ageing housing stock, retrofit and repurposing have moved
from the periphery to a central focus of the construction industry. Momentum is only increasing behind preserving and upgrading existing buildings to make them more sustainable rather than demolishing and rebuilding from scratch. This shift brings significant implications especially for the systems that lie within our homes’ walls and floors.
Soil and waste systems, often overlooked once installed, are now being put into the spotlight due to their ability to support the demands of modern retrofitting. In this evolving landscape, flexibility is a leading priority. Older buildings must conform to modern standards, and their renovation typically involves working around non-standard layouts, limited access, and a lack of reliable documentation. Installing new drainage systems in such environments demands more than just technical competence; it requires systems that can adapt to what already exists, while being robust enough to support what is yet to come.
Maximising flexibility
Flexibility in this context extends beyond the tangible and physical. It’s about the capacity for systems to be modified, extended or reconfigured over time without requiring full replacement. The retrofit process is rarely linear; it often happens in phases, with one part of a building upgraded while another remains untouched. Soil and waste infrastructure that can accommodate such staggered upgrades will vastly reduce disruption and cost. The need for adaptable drainage solutions is even more pressing in light of the construction sector’s growing commitment to circular economy principles. As the industry moves toward reducing waste, conserving resources and designing for reuse, every part of the building must be considered for its long-term utility. Traditional drainage systems, built with rigid layouts and singular lifespans in mind, do not always fit neatly into this model. Systems designed for circularity, by contrast, are built to last, to be maintained, and eventually to be dismantled and reused with minimal waste.
At FloPlast, we’ve seen how the right
approach to soil and waste design can transform retrofit outcomes. Through the use of modern, modular fittings that interface with older systems, upgrading in place is precisely the kind of intervention circular construction encourages. This not only delivers on sustainability, but enables intelligent resource management, reducing carbon footprints, and extending the lifespan of materials. However, it would be naïve to suggest that these practices are without risk. Retrofitting introduces a host of uncertainties, particularly when it comes to drainage. Existing systems may be undocumented, corroded, or incompatible with modern materials. There’s a danger of mismatched components, poor connections or even failure during pressure changes or long-term use. These risks must be mitigated through collaboration. Designers, specifiers, contractors and manufacturers must work closely to ensure the right products are selected, installed correctly, and maintained over time. Manufacturers, in particular, have a role to play not only in supplying components but in providing guidance, testing for compatibility and
designing with real-world conditions in mind. Plumbing and drainage can no longer be seen as a one-time fit-and-forget feature, but as dynamic infrastructure that can evolve with the structure over time. This demands a different kind of product development. It also calls for better data, improved digital tools such as BIM integration, and a more holistic understanding of how buildings function throughout their lifecycle. To move forward, the industry must continue to embrace this adaptability. Inherent to retrofitting is the ongoing push and pull between old and new, performance and preservation, cost and long-term value. Flexible soil and waste systems help navigate these negotiations. They give designers more options, allow contractors to respond to unexpected site conditions, and provide end users with systems that are easier to maintain and upgrade.
Evolving solutions
While permanence has been a key focal point within our industry, circular construction pushes for this to be rethought. It forces us to understand how systems can be reused, whether materials can be recovered, and whether buildings can accommodate changing uses without generating waste. Soil and waste systems must be part of this reimagining. If we can dismantle them as easily as we install them, reroute them without tearing down walls, and match new fittings to old pipework without compromising integrity, we unlock true flexibility. In practice, this means rethinking the products we design, the standards we follow, and the way we specify systems during early-stage planning. It also means advocating for better policies that support reuse and adaptability, as well as greater industry collaboration to define what good looks like in retrofit infrastructure. Manufacturers like FloPlast are working across the supply chain, sharing knowledge, improving interoperability and ensuring that the systems we develop are not only fit for purpose but fit for the future.
Systems for the future
Ultimately, the soil and waste systems of tomorrow must be designed not just to function, but to evolve, ensuring the most unassuming parts of our buildings are ready for change. The transformation of the construction industry toward retrofit and circularity is not a passing trend, but a necessary evolution that all manufacturers should be ready to innovate towards. For those of us involved in the delivery of critical infrastructure, we have a responsibility to ensure that our systems don’t just keep up but lead the way.
36 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2025 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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