Corstorphine & Wright is thrilled to announce the completion of a new headquarters in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire for Unusual Rigging.
This innovative two-storey building, set on a 4-acre site, is a showcase for cutting-edge circular economy principles and low-carbon design. It also stands out as one of the first new build circular buildings in the UK.
With a glulam timber frame and natural biogenic materials, the HQ achieves an impressive EPC A+ rating, producing more energy than it consumes. The building design prioritises functionality and user experience, featuring two rectangular wings connected by a central double-height atrium with a striking staircase, framing a landscaped courtyard. This inviting space serves as the heart of the building, enhancing employee and visitor experience.
Internally, the layout offers a blend of open-plan offices, private meeting rooms, breakout areas, and a canteen, balancing collaboration and privacy while allowing for flexibility as the company evolves.
The design follows a fabric first approach based on Passive House standards to ensure high levels of energy efficiency, whilst also minimising embodied carbon throughout. Biophilic design principles, such as natural planting and organic forms, are seamlessly integrated, promoting a healthier and more productive workplace.
Circular economy principles guided the interior fit-out, focusing on low embodied carbon and high reuse potential. Cradle to Cradle certified materials and reversible fixing methods were used to minimise waste, ensuring the building’s longevity and sustainability.
Following early-stage collaboration with local architect, Walker Associates, Corstorphine & Wright has developed and delivered a variety of sustainable design elements. The building uses renewable energy sources, including rooftop photovoltaics and an air-source heat pump. Materials including cork flooring, recyclable carpet tiles, and Accoya timber cladding reflect a commitment to long-term sustainability. Breathable, natural paints and Cradle to Cradle certified furniture were selected to ensure indoor air quality and ease of disassembly at the end of the building’s life. By focusing on reusable materials and low-carbon solutions, Corstorphine & Wright has created a new building that is as functional as it is environmentally responsible.
Hard landscaping is designed as a patchwork grid of reclaimed and reused landscaping materials, including cobble stones saved from the demolition site of the local 150-year-old Northampton Market Square. Soft landscaping is biodiverse and low maintenance, including a new pond to provide additional animal habitats and natural rainwater attenuation.
Unusual HQ serves as a test bed for innovative materials and construction methods, including the first-ever use of Breathaboard, a sustainable natural alternative to traditional plasterboard. While circular economy principles often emphasise re-use and retrofitting, Unusual HQ focuses on future material reuse. Rather than relying heavily on reclaimed materials, the building is designed for its components to be disassembled and reused in the future. The building offers an unparalleled example of how modern businesses can adopt sustainable practices while creating a functional and inspiring workspace. It also highlights the complexities of balancing embodied and operational carbon, the limited supply of reused materials, and the need for committed clients to champion this rigorous, forward-thinking approach to architecture.
