30 Semple Street

At Form Design Consultants, we’re especially passionate about projects that reflect our own commitment to sustainability so, when Red Rock Renewables invited us to reimagine their Edinburgh workspace, we were excited to get involved.

Red Rock is an innovative and fast-growing leader in the renewable energy sector and, as an organisation on a mission to generate a sustainable net-zero future, it was vital that the new premises mirrored the company’s strong environmental credentials.

The client’s existing office on Princes Street lacked collaborative areas and offered little more than desks and basic facilities to employees. So, when the company secured a new space at 30 Semple Street – an EPC A-rated building – we envisaged a more dynamic, future-focused workplace that would create a sense of community for the mostly hybrid workforce.

Red Rock was expanding its scope into other areas of renewable energy as we embarked on the project, and it was clear during our initial discussions that the client wanted the new workspace to embody the innovation and unique vision of its management and employees.

With this in mind, Form created a human-centric design, featuring open, light-filled work and meeting areas, and flexible collaborative spaces to promote both formal and informal interaction. To further facilitate this, we installed a large kitchen area and incorporated a sweeping island unit where employees could come together to work or socialise. 

Sustainability was embedded into every design decision. Plant-based and recycled materials were used throughout the space – from acoustic panelling made from plastic bottles to carpets woven from recycled fibres. 

Instead of removing and replacing the pre-installed suspended ceilings – a common but wasteful practice – Form reworked the design to retain as much of the original infrastructure as possible. Where ceilings had to be removed for acoustic performance or aesthetic reasons, components were re-used elsewhere. 

Reinforcing the sustainable approach, we conducted a full audit of existing furniture, salvaging and re-upholstering pieces wherever possible, with the remainder being donated to local charities. New custom-made items were sourced from a local social enterprise that supports individuals with additional needs, embedding social sustainability into the design.

Biophilia also played a prominent role, with over 400 plants being integrated into the new design. Plant installations help with air purification, noise reduction and promote wellbeing, and we incorporated them directly into the furniture and fixtures, as well as in vases and planters throughout the office. Our design also included a dramatic living wall in the social hub and a moss wall in the reception area, adding to the ambiance. 

The organic aesthetic was reinforced through the use of natural materials and forms, including a bespoke, sculptural reception desk – inspired by the client’s pebble-shaped company logo – and topographically-influenced oak panelling.

With Red Rock’s permission, we piloted our own internal research on construction waste as part of the project, tracking material flows and minimising environmental impact. This helped ensure that less than 1% of building waste went to landfill – an impressive outcome that eventually contributed to Red Rock’s own ESG goals. The results of the research will help to minimise waste in future projects.
 

We’re happy to say that Red Rock’s management and staff were delighted with the finished results.