Sustainable Ventures’ Innovative Low-Carbon Workspace
Sustainable Ventures Showcases Innovative Low-Carbon Workspace at Historic County Hall
A recent site tour on October 3rd revealed the remarkable transformation of County Hall's upper floors into what is now Europe's largest low-carbon workspace cluster. Sustainable Ventures, working with Material Works Architecture, has converted the long-abandoned space into a benchmark sustainable office that challenges conventional fit-out practices.
The project, which opened in July 2023 and now operates at 97% capacity, prioritised circularity and material reuse throughout the design process. Rather than traditional renovation approaches, the team embraced a minimal intervention strategy that saved over 1,150 tonnes of embodied carbon compared to conventional office fit-outs.
Notable sustainable features include surfaces made from reconstituted orange peel and coffee grounds, workspace pods lined with recycled airline cabin crew uniforms, locally-grown mycelium insulation, and cork flooring sourced from the wine industry. The decision to avoid painting stripped-back walls alone saved 30 tonnes of CO₂ and £30,000 in costs.
The transformation was made possible through strategic funding, including a £1.45 million grant from Lambeth Council's Future Workspace Fund and a £3.4 million investment from Big Issue Invest. This financial support enabled the regeneration of floors that had been derelict since 1986, creating over 600 desks for green start-ups at just £95 per square foot – remarkably low for central London.
The tour, organised by Scott Farrar, Case Studies Lead for Don’t Waste Buildings, highlighted how thoughtful sustainable design can preserve the Grade II listed building's character while delivering both environmental and economic benefits. The space now serves as a model for future sustainable workplace developments across the capital.
