How Circular Economy design drives down carbon in commercial buildings

The new headquarter for Unusual Rigging achieves a remarkable fusion of deep sustainability and employee wellbeing. Built to rigorous Passivhaus energy standards, the design goes further by using timber and bio-based materials to drastically cut embodied carbon while reducing running costs. Expanded solar power generation on-site means the building has an exceptionally low whole-life carbon footprint. This project embodies circular economy principles by being designed explicitly for durability, future disassembly, and material repurposing, departing from the linear 'take-make-dispose' model. Unlike schemes relying on existing structures, it rigorously addressed embodied carbon in a new build context, prioritising sustainable, biogenic (carbon-storing) materials throughout to ensure a low-impact building designed for a long life and eventual reuse. Join the client and design team to hear firsthand how this healthy, adaptable workspace supports the business's growth, champions staff wellbeing, and provides a blueprint for truly sustainable development. Sabine Hogenhout, Design Director - KLH Sustainability Jonny Plant, Director - Corstophine & Wright Tom Harper, Managing Director - Unusual Rigging Tom Robinson, CEO/Founder - Adaptavate