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Written by Smith Innovation
As the old adage says together the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; this philosophy largely guides Smith’s motivation for involvement in the coalition.
Smith’s team is based in Copenhagen and comprised of Mikkel Thomassen, Victoria Kuntze, Sarah Ndagire and Hannah Back. They are individuals from a range of countries and have differing career backgrounds, this brings a broad scope of expertise into the project.
They are united by the belief of the imperative for sustainability, particularly in the construction sector. The team was interviewed about their experiences, motivations and intentions for CBC. They are one year into the project so also had ability to reflect on the journey thus far.
· What is Smiths role in CBC?
We act as a central connector, facilitating collaboration and ensuring that the other partners who are experts with deep knowledge can effectively combine their skills. This involves both formal responsibilities, such as project management,and informal efforts, like creating opportunities for meaningful conversations. Additionally, we serve as the primary point of contact with the Laudes Foundation.
· What made Smith want to get involved with this coalition?
We were drawn to this project for several reasons. Firstly, working with the Laudes Foundation is particularly exciting for us. We've collaborated with them on another initiative, INDICATE, and have been inspired by their approach to the built environment, which aligns closely with our own perspective. Additionally, the six project partners - Arup, Circle Economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Metabolic, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and World Green Building Council - bring deep expertise in their respective fields, yet their knowledge overlaps in meaningful ways, creating a rich space for collaboration. It was an exciting opportunity to collaborate with like-minded organisations, and to enter a larger stage in doing so, both in terms of the reach of the project being at a European scale, but also with the depth of knowledge input from the diverse organisations.
· What key milestones are you, or will you be looking at to measure the coalitions success and impact?
Measuring the success and impact of this project involves several key milestones. One crucial aspect is communication—ensuring that our insights, innovations, and solutions reach the right audiences. It’s not enough to generate reports and bring experts together, if the knowledge remains confined within the project. Therefore, a key marker of success to us will be reaching a broad audience, and garnering widespread engagement via compelling storytelling, examples and real-world applications.
Another important milestone is seeing tangible, real-world solutions emerge. For instance, when we learn about how certain innovations—like alternative construction materials being adopted in Germany—are making a difference, that’s an exciting validation of our work. The ability to showcase novel approaches and demonstrate their market potential gives individuals and the industry actionable solutions and a sense of optimism about the future.
From a coalition perspective, success also means growing the impact of CBC—not necessarily as a centralized movement, but as a force that aligns different stakeholders toward a common direction. If we reach a point where industry leaders, policymakers, or innovators reference CBC as a catalyst for theirwork—whether by adopting frameworks like the Four Pathways or drawing inspiration from our findings—that’s a strong indicator that we’ve made a meaningful contribution.
Ultimately, what we need is both action and hope. If this project can inspire real change while providing a sense of possibility for the future, we will have succeeded.
· As you mention a crucial aspectof your role in the project is communications, could you expand on yourcommunication intentions with CBC?
Communication plays a crucial role in an initiative like this, not just in spreading the message but in shaping a trusted voice—a voice that is both heard and respected. It’s not enough to simply communicate; the content must be meaningful, well-substantiated, and worth listening to. This is particularly important as the initiative moves into its next phase, where demonstrating tangible solutions and fostering engagement become even more critical.
Our role in handling communications is about more than just messaging—it’s about creating coherence among strong, independent voices. Many of the organizations involved see themselves as leaders in their respective fields, so bringing them together into a unified narrative can be challenging. It’s like taking a group of solo performers—each exceptional in their own right—and guiding them to sing in harmony rather than compete for the spotlight.
Ultimately, effective communication ensures that the coalition’s insights don’t just stay within the group but reach the right audiences in a way that inspires action. By crafting a narrative that is both compelling and credible, we help transform great ideas into broader influence and lasting impact.
· What do you think the future of CBC looks like?
The future of CBC revolves around strengthening its foundation and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Now that the initiative has established itself through Phase One, the next step is to demonstrate its ability to stand on its own—both in terms of recognition and operational independence.
A key priority is proving the coalition's value beyond reliance on a single funding source. This means diversifying its financial model and ensuring that CBC can continue to grow and evolve without being dependent on one specific actor. Expanding its reach—both geographically and in terms of its network of partners—will also be essential in increasing its impact.
Ultimately, the goal is to solidify CBC as a recognized and influential force in the industry, capable of driving meaningful change while maintaining the flexibility to adapt and grow in response to emerging challenges.
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