Last Thursday, we proudly hosted Designing for Circularity: Office Fit-Out & Furniture as part of ReLondon’s Circular Economy Week. The event brought together professionals from across the sustainable construction industry to discuss how to design low-waste workspaces.

Together, we explored the circular journey of a commercial office fit-out — from conceptual design to on-site delivery. Each stage plays a crucial role in keeping materials and furniture in use, reducing waste, and cutting carbon emissions.

We were delighted to collaborate with our partners Broadbase, experts in reused office furniture, and Senator, leaders in sustainable furniture design and manufacturing.

The circular economy is an innovative approach to design and production that ensures materials and products stay in use for as long as possible. Unlike the traditional “take, make, dispose” model, the circular economy promotes reuse, refurbishment, and recycling to minimise waste.

By designing out waste and extending the life of materials, this model helps combat climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. It’s a practical framework for a resilient, sustainable construction future that reduces environmental impact and supports material reuse.

Circular Economy Week is an international platform connecting changemakers, businesses, and policymakers to accelerate the shift towards circular practices. Hosted by ReLondon and its network of partners, the week promotes collaboration, innovation, and shared learning.

Now in its eighth year, Circular Economy Week 2025 focuses on how circular design and sustainable refurbishment can cut carbon emissions ahead of COP30. Through workshops and events, it showcases how cities and businesses can reuse resources, lower waste, and drive progress toward net-zero construction.

Ultimately, Circular Economy Week demonstrates how adopting circular design in office fit-outs creates green jobs, boosts economic growth, and improves resource efficiency.

Our 2025 Circular Economy Policy forms part of our broader ESG strategy. It defines how we embed circular design principles across every project stage.

At Virtus, we follow six key Circular Economy Actions (CEAs):

1. Material Inventories

Assessing every project’s material composition, transport distances, and potential sustainable alternatives.

2. Retention and Reuse

We look for opportunities to retain and reuse existing materials during refurbishment and fit-out design phases.

3. Early Collaboration

Engaging with manufacturers and clients early to discuss circular opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.

4. Expert Partnerships

Partnering with circular economy specialists who identify quality reused materials for integration into our designs.

5. Upskilling Our Workforce

We provide ongoing training and Toolbox Talks to ensure our teams apply circular practices on-site.

6. Compliance and Best Practice

Ensuring adherence to planning requirements, evolving legislation, and industry standards in sustainable construction.

Our collaboration with Material Index further strengthens our material reuse efforts. They support us in producing pre-refurbishment audits, quantifying material value, and finding suitable reuse or donation outlets.

Since early 2025, this partnership has saved 2.5tCO₂e and reduced skip costs by £1,600, proving that sustainability delivers measurable results.

Championing circularity in office fit-outs means working with partners who share our sustainable vision. Our collaboration with Broadbase exemplifies this approach.

Broadbase specialises in sourcing and managing high-quality reused furniture to help businesses design ergonomic and environmentally responsible offices. Their approach extends the life of every item, supporting material reuse and reducing overall waste.

Together, we’ve transformed several office spaces — including:

• 6–24 Britannia Street
• 6–24 Britannia Street, 1st Floor
• 33 Glasshouse Street
• 80 Cheapside

Each project demonstrates how refurbishment and reuse can align style, comfort, and sustainability.

Events like Designing for Circularity highlight that the path to a low-waste future is built on collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

At Virtus, we’re committed to embedding circular economy principles into every office fit-out we deliver. By partnering with forward-thinking organisations such as Broadbase and Material Index, we’re ensuring materials and furniture continue to add value beyond a single lifecycle.

Through innovation, collaboration, and practical design, the construction industry can reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste, and create workspaces that are both inspiring and sustainable.

Together, we can build the next generation of circular, low-carbon work environments that truly support a sustainable future.