Cyclic Building Workshop
Cyclic Building Workshop was founded by architect Nicolas Laurent to rethink how buildings are designed, delivered, and cared for.
After more than two decades working with leading London practices and later as a client adviser for the London Borough of Hackney, Nic saw a recurring problem: buildings often fail to live up to their promise because the process is too fragmented. Designers, contractors, and clients work in silos, leaving projects vulnerable to gaps in knowledge and missed opportunities for long-term performance.
Cyclic Building Workshop was created as an answer — a studio that brings together clarity, collaboration, and sustainability across the full lifecycle of a project. From early ideas to long-term maintenance, we treat each stage as part of a continuous cycle, guided by what we call the Golden Thread: a commitment to making sure decisions made at the beginning carry through to the end, benefiting clients, users, and communities.
Our work spans private homes and small businesses, schools and learning environments, and consultancy for councils and industry professionals. In each, the approach is the same: thoughtful design, transparent process, and a focus on lasting value.
Nicolas Laurent RIBA
Director, Cyclic Building Workshop
About Nic
Nic studied architecture at Kingston University before working with Rick Mather Architects, Marks Barfield, and Foreign Office Architects, gaining experience across masterplanning, design, and urban regeneration. He co-created Village Underground in Shoreditch — transforming disused infrastructure into a landmark creative workspace — and later spent 14 years as Client and Technical Adviser to Hackney’s Education Property Team.
As both practitioner and adviser, Nic has seen projects from every angle — and it’s this breadth of experience that informs the studio today. His expertise sits at the intersection of design quality, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. He is a Chartered Architect, listed on the RIBA’s Education Register of Client Advisers, and a member of the BRE BIM Academy.
Things that matter for us
For us, architecture isn’t just about buildings — it’s about the people who use them, the communities they serve, and the impact they have on the planet. We care about designing in a way that is clear, collaborative, and sustainable, so that every project adds long-term value rather than short-term fixes.
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Sustainability
Every decision we make considers long-term impact — both for you and the environment. From materials to energy use, we design with responsibility to both people and planet.
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Clarity
Building projects can feel complex. We believe in uncomplicating the process, taking a holistic approach and being consistently communicative— so clients always know where they stand.
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Function & Longevity
Beautiful design must also work day-to-day. We create spaces that are practical now and adaptable for the future.
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Collaboration
Great architecture is never done in isolation. We value working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors to achieve better outcomes together.