Reupholstery
Cleaning
Replacement Components
Installation
Service & Repair
Extending the life of an established workplace through circular refurbishment, Flexiform originally delivered the Scottish National Investment Bank’s workplace at Waverley Gate, Edinburgh, in 2019. Five years on, the space required a considered refresh to reflect changing requirements and updated branding, while retaining and extending the life of as much of the existing furniture and infrastructure as possible. The project provided an opportunity to take a circular approach, combining refurbishment with carefully selected new furniture.
Working with Space Solutions, the existing workplace was carefully assessed to identify where furniture could be repaired, reupholstered, adapted, cleaned or reused rather than replaced. New furniture was introduced selectively, focusing investment where it could deliver a clear functional or design benefit. Around 70% of the existing furniture was retained and refurbished, with approximately 30% replaced with new pieces. This approach created a refreshed, contemporary workplace while preserving the value and longevity of the original scheme.
A circular approach to the existing workplace
The project began with a detailed assessment of the existing furniture, with individual items numbered and tracked throughout the refurbishment process. This provided Flexiform and Space Solutions with a clear understanding of the furniture quantities, types and refurbishment requirements, allowing each item to be assessed for its potential to be retained and renewed.
A wide range of soft seating and meeting room furniture was reupholstered to complement the updated colour scheme, including Boss Design Peak and Boos chairs (shown), Mars chairs with castors, Pledge Hub sofas and Kind meeting chairs. The refurbishment also extended to more complex pieces, including the Orangebox Away From The Desk media unit and JDD meeting pods. Reupholstery was carried out locally wherever possible, helping to minimise transportation and associated mileage. Through this considered approach, the existing workplace was transformed through targeted refurbishment and renewal, avoiding the need for wholesale furniture replacement.
Refreshing the Office Design
The refurbishment introduced a more contemporary, calming and cohesive aesthetic, aligning the workplace with the Bank’s updated branding. The previous brighter pastel palette was replaced with softer, more natural tones, creating a more understated finish throughout. This extended to the existing office lockers, with the brighter door colours replaced by a more muted palette to complement the refreshed interior.
A key feature of the original 2019 project, the bespoke 6m x 3m Boss Design Qube pod, continued to provide valuable private meeting space but was showing signs of wear following years of regular use. Rather than replacing this substantial investment, Flexiform undertook a comprehensive refurbishment to bring it up to date. The existing panels were replaced with a neutral grey finish, the upholstery renewed and the doors repaired, while the ceiling was cleaned. The internal layout was also improved, with a new, smaller table top and frame creating more usable space. The original table legs were retained, alongside upgraded electrics incorporating modern Type A and Type C charging to better support today’s technology requirements.
Targeted new furniture
Where refurbishment could not provide the required functionality, new furniture was specified as part of the wider scheme. Three Plex hinged folding tables were introduced with black Fenix tops, providing flexibility for different room capacities and configurations. A new black credenza and selected new seating were also incorporated.
One of the most impactful changes was the replacement of inherited polycarbonate and aluminium-framed screens with Aero fabric screens. Available in both sit-stand and fixed-height configurations, the new screens introduced a warmer, more contemporary material palette while retaining the functionality required for the workplace. This selective approach meant new furniture was concentrated where it could make a meaningful difference, rather than replacing furniture simply because it was no longer visually current.
Extending the life of the workplace
The project demonstrates how circularity can be incorporated into an existing workplace without compromising its design. Rather than treating the 2019 installation as something to be replaced, Space Solutions worked through the existing furniture to determine what could stay, what could be renewed and where new products were genuinely required, creating a contemporary design. Through our reupholstery and refurbishment services, the workplace has been given a new lease of life.
The result is a refreshed environment that improved functionality, created a cohesive and contemporary workspace – while retaining approximately 70% of the existing furniture. A circular workplace refurbishment designed around reuse, not replacement.
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