Ambit Moat: In-Situ and Repositioned Glazing Reuse
This case study was produced as part of ASBP’s Reuse of Glass Partitioning Systems guidance.
As part of a fit-out for Patron Capital in London, Ambit Moat undertook this reuse project with a focus on retaining and reusing the glazed doors and partitions already present on-site. The single-floor scope enabled tighter control over logistics and helped to reduce overall complexity.
Key points
- Refurbishment of a single floor using existing glazing and doors; reuse designed in from the start.
- 10 glazed doors reused (3 in-situ); 18.17 linear metres of partitions reused or repositioned.
- All components tracked, labelled, and stored on-site using soft protection materials.
- No warranty or acoustic performance offered; client accepted trade-offs in favour of cost and carbon savings.
- Carbon savings of 5,238.4 kgCO₂e across partitions and doors.
- Total reuse cost of £4,100, significantly lower than new installation cost of £7,400.
Approach to Reuse
Ambit’s experience in Design & Build gave them greater control over the reuse strategy. A detailed demolition drawing identified which glazed elements would be reused in-situ, which would be repositioned, and which would be removed as waste. This structured approach meant that 7 glazed doors were reused from elsewhere on the floor, 3 remained in-situ, and only 1 new door was required. Similarly, 9.65 linear metres of glazed partitions were repositioned, and 8.52 linear metres remained in place.
The glazing was carefully dismantled by a drylining contractor (Andhouse), who also took on responsibility for reconstruction. Ambit managed logistics and protection, using carpet tiles, corex, and barrier systems to protect the panels during storage. All panels were labelled and tracked to ensure accurate reinstallation.
Challenges and Adaptations
While the reuse process went smoothly, there were a few challenges. Some framing systems needed to be modified, for instance, to convert three-panel setups into four, which required additional framework and new gaskets, as the original ones couldn’t be reused.
The double-glazed panels were heavy, especially the doors, and required a dust-free environment to ensure a clean, sealed appearance on reinstall. Fortunately, working on a single floor reduced the complexity of moving and reinstalling large elements.
Manifestations on the glass also had to be removed and replaced, at a cost of £1,500. This might vary depending on how much frosting or film was applied originally.
Importantly, protecting the materials during storage and transport was essential. Optima used its own stillage frames for glass and “door stillage trolleys” (DSTs) for doors, eliminating the need for additional packaging.
Warranty and Performance
There was no warranty provided for the reused components, and the client accepted that no acoustic or fire performance ratings would be given. However, when the sustainability and cost benefits were presented, the client was satisfied with the compromise. Bulkheads were introduced to achieve consistent glazing heights.
Cost and Carbon Impact
The reuse process proved cost-effective. Removal and storage added no extra cost over traditional strip-out, and the total spend, including manifestation removal (£1,500), dust-free preparation (£300), and reinstall (£2,300), came to £4,100.
This equates to approximately £428.82 per linear metre, compared to £765 per linear metre for new double-glazed systems. Carbon savings were substantial:
- Partitions repositioned: 1,620 kgCO₂e
- Partitions in-situ: 1,430.2 kgCO₂e
- Doors reused: 2,188.2 kgCO₂e
- Total savings: 5,238.4 kgCO₂e
Additionally, some panels that were initially marked for disposal were retained as spares — which proved valuable when the client later requested additional glazing for the boardroom.
Reflections
This project demonstrated that with clear planning and a cooperative client, reusing glazed systems on a smaller scale is not only feasible, but beneficial. Design compromises (e.g. bulkheads, no warranty) were acceptable in light of the sustainability gains, and practical issues such as labelling, transport, and panel protection were manageable within the scope of a single-floor fit-out.
Key Takeaways
- Small, controlled projects offer a sweet spot for partition reuse.
- Double glazing presents a clearer business case than single glazing.
- Clients may accept performance trade-offs for meaningful carbon and cost savings.
- Protection, labelling, and planning are essential to success.
Links/resources
ASBP's Reuse Now Campaign
This case study part pof ASBP’s Reuse of Glass Partioning Systems Guidance, part of the Reuse Now Campaign. The campaign builds upon the ASBP-led DISRUPT project, which is exploring the innovative reuse of structural steel in construction through the creation and adoption of new circular business models. Project partners and supporters include reuse stalwarts Cleveland Steel & Tubes, global construction specialist ISG, National Federation of Demolition Contractors, and Grosvenor, the world’s largest privately-owned international property business.
ASBP has been working on the topic of material reuse for nearly 10 years, with past activities including the Re-Fab House feasibility study, research with University of Cambridge identifying the barriers to structural steel reuse, and more recently, a sold-out Reuse Summit.
This previous experience is further enhanced with in-house expertise from Technical Director Dr. Katherine Adams and Research Associate Dr. Asselya Katenbayeva, who bring 25+ years of academic and industry-focussed research and development on the topics of waste, reuse and circular economy.