Design & Build

Circular design

CBRE supports you in the transition towards a fully circular interior. We provide you with advice and take care of your needs wherever possible.

An indoor space of an office cafe or lounge. There are several round tables made of light wood. Around the tables are chairs with dark blue and black upholstery. In the background is a counter with bar stools where two people are standing and apparently engaged in a conversation. Above the counter are shelves with various objects and plants. Stylish, flat round lamps hang from the ceiling and illuminate the room with indirect light. The walls of the room are light and simple, highlighting the warm wooden furniture and dark floor. Overall, the space looks inviting, comfortable and stylish.

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From the problem...

An office interior lasts for five to ten years - after that, it is typically depreciated from an accounting perspective. There is no longer a financial reason to invest in furniture and materials or to repair them. As a result, remnants and discarded materials usually end up in landfills. This leads to significant waste streams and a substantial CO2 emission. And this is not in line with an organization with high sustainability ambitions.

...to the solution

Fortunately, there are different approaches. For example, by embracing circular interior design, a system in which furniture and materials are not discarded but given a new life. A circular interior has minimal environmental impact as it focuses on reusing products and materials as much as possible. This eliminates the need for additional resources. By choosing a circular design for your organization, you become part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem.

2050: A fully circular Netherlands

A circular interior not only benefits the environment but also your organization itself. It can be used for ESG reporting, showcasing your commitment to environmental, social, and governance factors. Moreover, a circular design retains its value better, making it a valuable investment. Additionally, adopting a circular approach is an excellent way for your company to contribute to the government's sustainability goal of achieving a fully circular economy by 2050.

Only advantages

While office renovations can be disruptive for employees, sustainable adjustments generally receive understanding. In fact, your employees will take pride in working in a circular environment. Furthermore, circularity presents commercial opportunities as it showcases your conscious and responsible approach towards the future. It makes an impression not only on partners and clients but also on potential employees. Young job seekers, in particular, appreciate sustainable choices and will view a circular design as a positive aspect.

An office interior as seen from a hallway or adjacent room. The focal point of the photo is a set of glass doors with black metal frames that give access to the office. The doors have transparent glass that allows you to see the interior of the entire office. Above the door is a yellow sign with the logo and the name CBRE. The logo consists of four blocks with rounded corners and the letters 'CBRE' in a bold, sans-serif font. Inside the office, there is an abundance of natural light coming in through large windows on the outside of the building. The interior is decorated with various plants that create a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Several workstations are visible with red privacy screens that contrast with the mostly neutral colors of the interior. People are also present in the office. One person walks through the space, dressed in dark clothing. The ceiling has an industrial look with exposed pipes and air ducts, adding to the modern feel of the space. The finishes and furniture in the space look well maintained and professional. The combination of glass, metal, plants and color accents creates a contemporary and dynamic work environment.
Stijn Poelstra fotografie & video
An office interior with an open floor plan. The space has warm wood tones and accents of red and blue. There are several seating areas and plants scattered throughout the space. A red structure acts as a partition or storage unit. Artwork and decorative elements are present, along with recessed lighting. Two people can be seen in the image. One person moves through the space and the other stands in the back. The space has large glass walls for natural light. The floor is light wood and the ceiling has exposed black accents under the white ceiling tiles. The overall atmosphere is stylish and modern, designed for comfort and productivity.
An interior of an office or public space. It is a sitting area consisting of with with a built-in cabinetry with compartments. In the compartments, the letters 'CBRE' are illuminated and carved. The cabinet wall has a rust brown color with a pattern of circles and squares that appear to be randomly placed. There is a long, dark green sofa with a high back that adds to the privacy of the seating area. In front of the sofa is a round table with a light wood top and a simple, dark-colored base. A round, blue pouf is placed in front of the table. This has a striking texture and appears to be made of a woven fabric. The ceiling is industrial with exposed pipes and ventilation ducts painted in a dark color. The lighting is subtle and appears to be integrated into the cabinetry surrounding the letters. The overall feel of the space is modern, stylish and functional, with a focus on comfort and privacy. The color palette consists of earthy tones with accents of green and blue that give the space a warm and inviting feel.
and lounge area in an office with an open and inviting atmosphere. The space has a combination of natural and artificial lighting. On the ceiling, white ceiling tiles are visible with built-in lighting fixtures that evenly illuminate the space. There are also cylindrical pendant lights with a black exterior and round sconces that provide additional light over certain areas. On the right side of the image is a seating area with a dark green, upholstered sofa set against a wall with a terracotta-colored panel. In front of the couch are round tables and in the foreground is another dark coffee table with some books and an hourglass on it. There are two people present, sitting opposite each other and appearing to be in conversation. On the left side of the image a bar or counter can be seen with tall stools. There is also a large green plant that adds to the liveliness of the space and may also function as a decorative element or to improve air quality. The overall atmosphere of the image is professional but relaxed, indicating that the design is intended to promote collaboration and comfort. The color palette is warm and inviting, using earth tones such as green and terracotta, combined with the neutral wood floor and black accents.
A stylish interior of an office kitchen or a break room. The floor is covered with light wood floorboards that give a warm atmosphere. On the left side of the image is a kitchen counter with a curved shape, finished with blue tiles that add a unique texture and color to the space. Hanging above the kitchen counter are three black pendant lights with a simple yet elegant design that illuminate the space. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances, including a built-in coffee machine and other unidentified appliances built into the wood-colored cabinets placed against the wall. The back wall of the kitchen is tiled with rectangular, light-colored tiles that contribute to the clean and bright appearance of the space. In the center of the room is a long, dark wooden table with three chairs on one side with gray upholstery and dark wooden legs. On the right side of the image, two people sit at the bar of the kitchen counter on tall stools with red seats. The ceiling above them is finished with white panels that contrast with the predominantly light colors of the rest of the room. The overall design of the space is minimalist and exudes a professional yet comfortable atmosphere. The combination of different materials and textures, such as wood, tile and fabric, creates a cohesive interior that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
An interior, of a lounge or meeting room. The foreground shows a wooden doorway with glass panels, which is open and leads to a room with a contemporary design. Within the room, directly in view, is a pink chair with a minimalist and stylish design. The chair has a sleek metal frame with slim black legs and armrests. The seat and back are upholstered in a pink fabric that is light in color, providing a soft contrast to the black frame. Behind the pink chair is visible a small, round side table with a white top and a simple, round base. On the wall behind the chair hangs an artwork with a concentric circle pattern in shades of pink and white, echoing with the color of the chair. The floor is covered with a geometric rug composed of different shapes in shades of gray, beige, pink and brown, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The overall color scheme and materials give the room a modern and luxurious decor. The lighting is soft and warm, adding to the cozy atmosphere of the space. The design of the space is clean and organized, with attention to detail and comfort.
A close-up of a plane with a terrazzo-like finish. The terrazzo consists of a white base with embedded pieces of various colors and sizes. The colors of the embedded pieces range from orange, blue, yellow to dark gray. The pieces appear to be randomly scattered across the surface, giving a playful and colorful effect. The terrazzo is the top of what appears to be a table. Beneath the terrazzo surface, part of the side of the furniture is visible, which is a dark green color. The green side has a smooth finish and contrasts with the variegated terrazzo. The lighting in the image is soft, so there are no harsh shadows or reflections on the surface of the terrazzo. This creates a calm and subtle presentation of the material and texture. The photo was taken from an angle that highlights the edge of the terrazzo and gives a sense of depth and dimension to the piece of furniture.
A modern-looking office. At the center of the image is a curved, white couch with a high-gloss finish. Behind this couch, a person sits working on her laptop. On the right side of the picture is a glass wall that separates the aisle from other office spaces. The glass wall has wooden frames and doors, providing a warm contrast to the space's predominantly white and gray color palette. Through the glass, interior features of the adjacent space are vaguely visible, such as a table and chairs. To the left of the sofa is a large, healthy houseplant that adds to the liveliness of the space. The floor is covered with a rug that has different shades of gray and patterns, creating a dynamic yet subtle visual effect. The background of the picture shows a wall with artistic elements, including a large, abstract, pink artwork that attracts attention. Lighting in the room is both natural and artificial; natural light enters through windows on the left side, while built-in ceiling lights provide additional illumination. The overall atmosphere of the image is professional and stylish with a focus on design and comfort. The use of natural materials such as wood combined with modern elements creates an inviting and contemporary workspace.
An office interior with a round and white furniture with large houseplants in the foreground. The floor is carpet with many hexagons in shades of gray, beige, and green forming an abstract pattern. In the center of the room is a black office chair with casters and adjustable armrests at an adjustable desk. At the back of the space are glass office cubicles with black metal frames. One of the cubicles has the door open, and inside a person can be seen moving, making it blurry. There are also desks in the cubicles, these have no monitor. The ceiling is industrial with visible pipes and light fixtures. On the left side of the image, there is a partially visible column with a wood-like texture. The overall atmosphere is contemporary and stylish with a focus on openness and natural elements.
An office environment with multiple workstations, each equipped with a desk chair and at least one desktop computer with a large, flat screen. The desks are a light color with white legs and edges, giving a sleek and clean appearance. Each workstation has a gray office chair with a high back and armrests, which appear to be on wheels for easy movement. Next to the desks are small and large green plants, adding a touch of nature and color to the space. The floor is covered with a carpet that has a pattern of different shades of green, gray and beige. This adds to the aesthetic of the office space. Lighting comes from recessed spotlights in the ceiling, which appears to have a lowered area above the workstations. On the right side of the image are large windows that let in natural light and offer a view of an outdoor environment with some architectural structures. The windows have a white frame and are divided into rectangular panels. The overall atmosphere of the image is calm, organized and professional. The design and layout suggest that this is an office that values clarity, openness and a degree of environmental awareness.
A meeting room with a rectangular meeting table in the center of the room. The table has a light wood top and a black base. Visible on the table are some black rectangular objects that may be cable management systems for electronics. Around the table are eight swivel office chairs with gray upholstered seats and backs, and black armrests and bases on casters. The room has a fairly neutral color palette with a combination of natural and industrial elements. The floor is covered with a rug that has a pattern of gray, black and white geometric shapes. The wall contains a large piece of art composed of several panels that together form an abstract, layered image with rings reminiscent of the annual rings of a tree. Lighting in the room comes from built-in ceiling spotlights, and no pendant or floor lamps are visible in this image. The system ceiling is not fully visible, but is gray with black in color and is covered with white panels that are part of the ventilation system and acoustic structure. Overall, the image exudes an atmosphere of professionalism and modernity, with a careful balance between art, nature and functional design.
An office interior consisting a spacious room with an open floor plan containing several work areas. A large desk is visible in the foreground with two persons sitting across from each other, both focused on their work. Both persons are using laptops. The desk is made of light wood and has a minimalist design. There are no panels or partitions separating the two workstations. Next to the desk is a call area with a glass door. In this call box, a person stands at a desk working behind a laptop. The floor of the office has a complex geometric pattern in shades of gray with some accents in pastel colors. The ceiling is equipped with modern lighting fixtures and there are elements of reddish wood and black metal that give the interior an industrial but warm feel. The overall atmosphere of the space is calm and organized, with plenty of natural light streaming in through the large windows in the background. The design combines functionality with aesthetics, creating a productive and pleasant work environment.

The path to circularity

There are numerous options for achieving circularity, but not all of them are equally concrete. Additionally, you may not have unlimited time to delve into the details. Fortunately, we have the right knowledge and experts to provide you with tailored advice. With our extensive network, including reliable suppliers and manufacturers, we can assist you in finding a quality circular solution. We are committed to guiding you through the transition to a circular interior, while our project managers ensure continuous oversight of planning and budgeting.

Data-driven advice

Throughout the process, we utilize handy tools and base our decisions on data whenever possible. With our M+R=D tool, we assess the sustainability of the materials we use. In the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we even calculate the footprint of the materials, allowing us to determine the amount of CO2 emissions saved. We also gather information from external databases regarding the life cycle of specific materials and products, measuring environmental effects during production, use, and disposal. At the end of the process, we create a material passport that documents the materials we have used. This makes it easier to maintain, modify, or reuse your interior in the future.

CBRE commits to circularity

Our project management department, in collaboration with CBRE Design Collective Amsterdam, has set an ambitious goal: by 2030, all our projects will be fully circular. Our regional office in Zwolle serves as a great example. Check out this video: