A study in sustainability.

Coventry University wanted to extend the life of its furniture assets and simultaneously minimise waste. We helped them revive furniture, prevent the release of embedded carbon and reduce overall project costs.

Delivered by:

Daniel Sales, Sales Director - Higher Education

Other members:

Joanna Knight, Sustainability Lead

Nathan Ho, Designer

Project information.

Client:

Coventry University

Location:

West Midlands

Sector:

Higher Education

Value:

Scope:

Collaborated with university team and project partner Casala, which offers ReFurniture - a buy-back and repurposing scheme - with a commitment to taking back surplus items and end-of-life furniture, as well as refurbishment.

Project information.

Client:

Coventry University

Location:

West Midlands

Sector:

Higher Education

Value:

£7,100,000

Scope:

Collaborated with university team and project partner Casala, which offers ReFurniture – a buy-back and repurposing scheme – with a commitment to taking back surplus items and end-of-life furniture, as well as refurbishment.

Delivered by:

Daniel Sales, Sales Director - Higher Education

Other members:

Joanna Knight, Sustainability Lead
Nathan Ho, Designer

Project overview.

The university had bought a large number of chairs and writing tablets for its Scarborough Campus. Many of these had not been fit for purpose and were put in storage.

Objective

Cutting carbon on campus.

The university challenged us to propose a solution that would find a new home for the products it no longer wanted, preventing them from going to landfill and releasing embedded carbon.

Target outcomes & Goals

Prevent highly reusable products from going to waste.

18%

Carbon footprint reduction

72%

Sustainable materials used

£145,000

Local community contribution

CCS / NEUPC

ISO 14001 accredited

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of office and contract furniture, we’re committed to driving ongoing improvement in our own sustainability standards. We needed to demonstrate this in practice to help the university meet its own targets.

Our approach.

We’ve developed a range of furniture management services to minimise environmental impact, including supplier partnerships. We worked with trusted partner Casala to refurbish and reuse as many items as possible.

What we did

Smart recycling solution.

Applying the principles of the circular economy, the reuse of existing furniture assets offers significant benefits. The value of virgin materials is retained and waste is prevented – as is the release of the furniture’s embedded carbon. All of this cuts overall carbon footprint.

Applying the principles of the circular economy, the reuse of existing furniture assets offers significant benefits. The value of virgin materials is retained and waste is prevented - as is the release of the furniture’s embedded carbon. All of this cuts overall carbon footprint.

Key challenges

Preventing a write-off.

Our response to the project was a case of providing circular solutions that met the key challenges associated with handling a high volume of furniture items which needed to be refurbished and reused. Using asset audits, design and planning consultancy, surplus/redundant strategies, and repairs and renovation services, we created a solution that met the university’s tough objectives.

Custom solutions

Our partner network.

Sustainable solutions are a priority focus for Southerns Broadstock Interiors, allowing us to be able to help contribute to our clients’ efforts to improve sustainability. Alongside our in-house capabilities we have a network of appointed partners ready to provide a UK-wide resource to minimise transport emissions. As well as repurposing, repairing and renovating furniture, we also offer environmental recycling services supported by full reporting.

Results.

By working with Casala, we were able to prevent landfill waste and buy the product back. This enabled Coventry University to redistribute its budget into another scheme.

We recognise Southern Broadstock Interiors’ commitment to sustainability, including its range of furniture lifecycle management services. We were delighted to be integrated as part of this offer.

Results.

By working with Casala, we were able to prevent landfill waste and buy the product back. This enabled Coventry University to redistribute its budget into another scheme.

The team was incredibly professional and attentive to every detail. Our project turned out even better than we imagined.

Working with Southerns Broadstock Interiors as our furniture consultants has been an exceptional experience. From the outset, they understood the importance of delivering a space that stayed true to the architect’s original vision while meeting the evolving needs of the building’s occupants and the University’s sustainability ambitions. Their expertise in managing change and integrating legacy furniture alongside carefully selected new pieces allowed us to achieve a seamless aesthetic and narrative.”

The final design was full of practical solutions that aligned with the needs of those who will use the building day to day. By reusing significant proportion of our existing furniture, the FF&E package delivered meaningful carbon savings without compromising on quality or functionality.

As our furniture consultants, SBI brought a structured and methodical approach to refining the FF&E specification and space plans, ensuring we had sufficient understanding of possible furniture options to complement the architectural vision, and to support needs of the building’s future users.

The team’s attention to detail and commitment to quality have delivered a beautifully furnished, functional and inspiring environment that perfectly reflects the aspirations of the project.

Working with Southerns Broadstock Interiors as our furniture consultants on the LaMB building has been an exceptional experience. We are delighted with the result — a beautifully furnished building that embodies the values of the University of Oxford.

Broadstock provided a good level of service throughout the entirety of the project. They were fully engaged, were able to offer invaluable advice and present opportunities to realise our aspirations, while remaining conscious of our principal requirements and budget constraints.

Broadstock’s strength was the team’s ability to work collaboratively with the client, providing quick responses in regard to drawing information, samples and cost advice. The team was professional and personable, delivering a good level of service. They were also able to remain flexible and worked hard to push every inch out of the scheme.