Central Edinburgh office refurbishment prioritised a low‑carbon, sustainable workplace by reusing materials, improving staff wellbeing, and maintaining cost efficiency.

Global engineering consultants Cundall undertook the refurbishment of a new Edinburgh office space at New Clarendon, George Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The project's key aims included not only delivering a high performance, low-carbon office environment and embedding the principles of the circular economy through the reuse and refurbishment of materials, but also enhancing employee wellbeing and workplace functionality for a growing team.

Expertise

CDM and Principal Designer, Quantity Surveying

Sectors

Workplace and Hospitality

Having occupied their previous location on Semple Street, Edinburgh for over ten years, Cundall sought to relocate to a space that better reflected their commitment to sustainability and employee wellbeing.

The refurbishment introduced a modernised layout designed to support both collaboration and individual work, including break out areas, a prayer space and dedicated zones for focused work.

The office featured unique elements in design, such as a wellness room named The Haven, which provides a familiar and comforting space for the Cundall team, away from the desk. The refurbishment introduced two new meeting rooms and a clear separation between social and work areas.

Sustainability priority

Sustainability was central at every stage of the project, with a strong emphasis on reusing existing materials and reducing the need for new resources. Glass partitions were repurposed, and furniture was reused, along with floor tiles and kitchen equipment. Existing items such as meeting chairs, banquette seating and a pool table were refurbished and reupholstered, and newly procured materials were scrutinised to ensure they were low carbon.

In total, approximately 142 items of furniture and fittings were recycled or reused by the end of the project, significantly reducing overall waste. The design team also adapted the new layout to accommodate reclaimed elements, ensuring the project's objectives did not mean compromising on functionality.

Cost controlling role and responsibilities

Acting as quantity surveyor, Thomson Gray played a key role in the commercial management of the project both pre and post contract. Ensuring cost control aligned with the project’s sustainability objectives was paramount to the success of the project.

We provided estimations of project costs from provided data and prepared the bill of quantities and tender documents. Post contract, we provided monthly valuations, attended progress meetings, reporting on cost, progress and risks and reviewed commercial changes.

A key aspect of our role was ensuring that the incorporation of reused materials was managed efficiently from both a cost and programme perspective, continuously addressing challenges associated with adapting existing components to a new layout.

Pushing the boundaries on circular economy principles, the project provided a practical demonstration of highly sustainable, cost-efficient and human-centric design. The fit out offers a model for low-carbon refurbishment, setting a benchmark to be followed.

Staff areas provide for flexible working environments to suit a growing team

Successful completion of a benchmark project

The project showed that sustainable approaches can deliver both environmental and cost benefits. By reusing and recycling materials from the previous office, and reupholstering furniture, we were able to maintain a controlled budget for the client, while optimising the contribution to sustainability.

The Cundall Edinburgh office refurbishment sets a benchmark for low-carbon, circular fit-out projects. By pushing the boundaries of sustainable practice, the project provides a practical example of how environmental responsibility, commercial viability and occupant wellbeing can be successfully integrated. The outcome was an industry-leading example of circular economy principles in practice, demonstrating how sustainable design can be achieved in a commercially viable way.

Contributing to a project that prioritises sustainability while maintaining cost control aligns with our commitment to ensure clients achieve project goals and increase sustainability in the built environment.