Overview
The sustainable engineering and design consultancy saw an opportunity to create an industry-leading example of circularity and reuse while crafting a more efficient and inspiring workplace for their team. They needed a space that would better support the health and wellbeing of their employees, while demonstrating their commitment to the circular economy.
Approach
It was a circular approach from day one, with reuse of items they already had at Semple Street, use of things they had access to from other properties, and minimising the carbon use in new materials serving as the three pillars of the design. Doors and glass partitions were reused from Semple Street, and their furniture showcased the circular economy in action. Their new workstations came from a bank in London who were looking to repurpose their desks, and existing furniture items like meeting chairs, a banquette and the pool table were reupholstered by Recycle Scotland.
The concept for the tea prep was more or less ‘take and refit’, meaning the new space was designed around what they had available from their previous location. It was reduced slightly in size and our team planned around reusing the existing cabinetry, worktops, sink, tap, and white goods. Where new materials were necessary in the project, the team prioritised products with low-carbon credentials and auditable environmental data. This included materials that were new to both the design team and the joinery workshop just outside of Edinburgh that crafted the bespoke items.
Unique elements of the design include The Haven, a wellness room to serve as a familiar, comforting space away from the desk. This room is designed for multi-purpose use, with soft colours to give it a particular look and feel, a designated fridge for breastfeeding mothers and mats for prayer. The base build was a good canvas on which to work, with black exposed surfaces and raw concrete soffit, and our look and feel naturally aligned with that. The colour scheme is subtle and sophisticated with black as the feature colour that’s brought to life through carpet colours and plywood and the use of blue and yellow ochre throughout.
Sustainability in space optimisation
Beyond material considerations, the team recognised that one of the most fundamental aspects of sustainability was using space efficiently. An initial workplace consultancy exercise drove the brief development, ensuring the right types and number of spaces for what Cundall needed in their new office. This process led to a tailored approach with minimal private rooms and thoughtfully designed multi-purpose spaces. There are now two meeting rooms, reduced number of desks, a dedicated space for focus work and distinct boundaries between the social and work areas. The design also features a project space with a curtain for visual separation rather than walls and a media wall with custom storage for presentations, CPD sessions, and material sample displays. These open overlapping spaces without built separation allow you to do more with less and truly optimise the use of space.
Measuring success
Cundall completed a whole life embodied carbon assessment of the project, benchmarking it against available industry standards. The project achieved considerably lower carbon metrics than typical targets, primarily through the extensive reuse strategy and careful material selection. By embracing the quirks that inevitably come with reuse—such as glass partitions and doors that stand slightly higher than conventional specifications—the team created an authentic workspace that embodies the company’s values. The Cundall project demonstrates that with careful planning, creativity, and a commitment to sustainability principles, circularity can be achieved without compromising on design quality or functionality.
