British Land has demonstrated a significant commitment to circular economy principles through the refurbishment of 30 Brock Street at Regent’s Place, London.
It delivered a ‘Work Ready’ office scheme centred on reuse and resource efficiency, including the reuse of lights.
Early engagement with the outgoing tenant enabled the retention of key Cat A elements, including ceilings and raised floors, alongside selected Cat B components such as joinery, fixtures, finishes and furniture. This formed the foundation of a comprehensive reuse strategy for the incoming fit-out, reducing material waste and embodied carbon.
Contractor selection was aligned with these ambitions, prioritising capability in reuse. Cast Interiors was appointed and proposed an ambitious approach to retain and repurpose existing materials while maintaining the desired design aesthetic.
Targets included retaining 80% of existing materials, with 100% of glazed partitions (47 linear metres) preserved and 54% of joinery carcasses reused. In addition, 32% of furniture (excluding task seating) was specified as remanufactured.
Beyond the immediate fit-out, British Land also piloted material brokering to ensure surplus items were reused elsewhere in the industry. Material Index conducted a reclamation audit and redistributed materials via its network, diverting 19 pendant luminaires, as well as tap fittings and benching, from waste streams.
Key lessons highlighted the importance of early-stage planning, ideally from RIBA Stage 0, to maximise reuse opportunities. The project also underscored the need for clients to stimulate both supply and demand for reclaimed materials, while addressing practical challenges such as site insurance and health and safety for third-party collections.
British Land intends to scale up reuse and material brokering across future projects, embedding circularity more deeply into its development strategy.
• Learn more about luminaire reuse at Circular Lighting Live 2026, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 8 October 2026 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live
