Circular Design & the Circular Economy
Workplace design doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment.
What is Circular Design?
A Creative Approach to Reuse
Circular design is about creating and managing workplaces with minimal waste. Instead of always defaulting to new furniture, we identify what can be reused, reupholstered, reimagined or responsibly recycled. It’s a design-led response to overconsumption.
Every item that stays in use reduces carbon, conserves raw materials, and saves money. But for us, circularity isn’t just about cost-saving or carbon – it’s about creativity. How can we do more with what already exists?
The 5-Stage Circular Furniture Journey
Real Impact
Circular design isn’t a box-ticking exercise. It’s about creating change you can actually see and measure. Here’s what that looks like on the ground:
- TJX Europe – we gave over 1,300 task chairs a second life and reused more than half of their existing furniture.
- Jimmy Choo – every desk and task chair was reused, along with 90% of their soft seating.
- The AA – we restored more than 100 heritage pieces and repurposed 103 metres of shelving.
Materials That Matter
Every choice we make supports healthier spaces and long-term sustainability.
Circular design also means choosing sustainable materials for the long term.
We work with fabrics and finishes that are:
- Recycled or recyclable
- Non-toxic and low-emission (meeting indoor air quality standards)
- Sourced with verified ethical certifications (FSC, OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle)
Our designers actively seek material palettes that align with your brand and support your environmental goals.
Sketch Services That Enable Circularity
From audits to impact reporting, we handle every step so you can focus on the results.
Our end-to-end capabilities make circular design easier for clients:
- Product Audits – cataloguing, tagging, and reporting
- Reupholstery Workshops – using local craftspeople and eco-fabrics
- Take-Back Logistics – managing transport, repair and storage
- Impact Reporting – carbon, cost, and material savings delivered back to you
We do the work. You get the benefit.
Circular Design with Sketch
Designing sustainably doesn’t mean compromising on beauty, comfort or brand. It means designing with care, foresight, and integrity.
With our circular design approach, we’ll help you reduce embodied carbon, make the most of the assets you already have, and tell a sustainability story that’s both authentic and meaningful.
Let’s create a workplace that sets a new standard.
