We've unveiled our new Guildford studio in the heart of the town centre, marking a significant milestone in our longstanding relationship with Surrey while demonstrating the tangible environmental benefits of a circular approach to workplace relocation.

This moment feels particularly meaningful for us. Last year, we celebrated our 115th anniversary, an important milestone that places us among the longest continuously owned architectural practices in the UK. To commemorate the occasion, we published our first book, 'Scott Brownrigg: Architecture + Progression'.

Our move sees us return to Guildford town centre, a place that has played a defining role in our history since Scott Brownrigg and Turner opened our first Guildford studio in 1958. While we were founded in nearby Haslemere in 1910, Guildford has long been regarded as our spiritual home. Over the years, we've contributed significantly to the built environment of Guildford and the surrounding region. Notable local projects include the Grade II-listed Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, designed in 1965 by founding partner John Brownrigg, alongside the College of Law and Guildford Business Park.

Beyond the town, we've delivered landmark projects across the South East spanning aviation, commercial, residential, defence and education. These include Heathrow Terminal 4, developments in Woking town centre, West Byfleet, Maidenhead, Green Park in Reading, Farnborough, Frimley and Basingstoke, as well as projects further afield in Southampton, Portsmouth and Salisbury Plain. Together, this extensive portfolio reflects our deep local commitment combined with national ambition.

More than a relocation, this project reflects how we're adapting to changing ways of working while remaining committed to sustainability, social value and wellbeing. Our new studio forms part of a wider strategy that includes flexible, serviced studios in Cardiff and Edinburgh, providing greater agility while reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional office occupation.

Rather than approaching the move as a conventional office fit-out, we adopted circular economy principles throughout the project, opting for office space that prioritised reuse, redistribution and repurposing to minimise waste and maximise social value.

Putting circular economy principles into practice

The design of our new studio embraces a circular approach by retaining much of the existing fit-out from the previous tenant while creating a workplace tailored to the needs of our team. The space offers a variety of working environments, from quiet focus areas to collaborative project zones, complemented by natural light, wellbeing facilities and an outdoor terrace.

Central to our relocation strategy was an ambitious programme of reuse and redistribution. Working with specialist removal company Renovo and its charity partner Business2Schools, we gave most of our furniture and equipment a second life.

Of the 1,043 items removed from our previous Guildford studio, 90% were either reused in our new Guildford studio, redistributed to our London Head Office or donated directly to local community organisations, including four local schools and charities, preventing valuable resources from going to landfill. Just 10% required separation and material recycling.

Significant carbon savings

By prioritising direct reuse over recycling, we achieved substantial carbon savings. Reusing furniture in its original form avoids the emissions associated with manufacturing replacement products and reduces the processing impacts of recycling.

Our relocation resulted in 22.8 tonnes of net CO₂e carbon avoidance through reuse, donation and recycling activities, including logistics. The carbon savings achieved are equivalent to the annual heating emissions of approximately 10 standard three-bedroom homes.

In addition, our donation programme delivered an estimated £14,200 in social value, supporting local schools and charitable organisations with tables, desks, chairs, storage, kitchenware, IT equipment and other workplace resources.

A new chapter for Guildford

Our new studio has been designed to support creativity, collaboration and wellbeing, reflecting the open and inclusive culture that defines our practice. While rooted in more than a century of local heritage, the space also signals our commitment to the future, creating environments that are adaptable, sustainable and people-focused.

To celebrate the move, we recently welcomed clients, consultants and industry friends to our new Guildford studio for an opening event, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the space and mark this exciting new chapter with us.

Our latest move reconnects us with the centre of Guildford while showcasing how workplace transformation can deliver measurable environmental and community benefits.

Ultimately, our new studio is more than an office. It's a space that reflects who we are today: collaborative, innovative and forward-looking, while remaining deeply connected to our Guildford roots.