Fit-out of Workplace
Projects listed below are the winners for the Fit-Out of Workplace Award 2009.
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL WINNER
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND AND SOUTH WALES
MICROSOFT BUILDING 5, THAMES VALLEY BUSINESS PARK, READING
Project Client:
Microsoft
Owner:
Microsoft
Project Manager:
Jones Lang LaSalle
Quantity Surveyor:
Turner & Townsend
Brief Consultant:
Work Place Design
Architect:
tp bennett
Interior Designer:
Pringle Brandon (upper floors workplace fit-out)
tp bennett (cat A, reception, restaurant, atria and gym)
M&E Engineer:
Hoare Lea
Contractor:
ISG
Developer:
Microsoft Properties
The 8,000m² headquarters, which can accommodate up to 700 staff, was planned to improve flexibility, collaboration, technology and identity, which in turn will aid staff attraction and retention. The project involved a culture shift away from cube-style desks to open-plan benches which offer efficiency and ease of configuration and encourage short ad hoc meetings.
Alternative work spaces are provided in formal and informal collaboration spaces. Different colours and carpet styles help distinguish types of space. Enclosed spaces are toward the centre with workstations around the perimeter, allowing users full advantage of natural light and views. Microsoft collaboration tools and branding have created a strong identity, while the vivid colours of the Windows TM brand have enlivened space and differentiate the floors across the atrium.
Sustainability was always going to be affected by the fact that the building is on a business park but impact on the environment was an important consideration both during construction and for on-going operations. Efforts have gone into recycling, low carbon technology and sustainable materials during fit-out rather than as an afterthought.
REGIONAL WINNER
SCOTLAND
EVOLUTION HOUSE FOR EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF ART, WESTPORT, EDINBURGH
Project Client:
Base build: AMA (New Town)
Fit-out: Edinburgh College of Art
Owner:
Edinburgh College of Art
Project Manager:
Ryden
Quantity Surveyor:
Ryden
Brief Consultant:
Reiach and Hall Architects
Architect:
Reiach and Hall Architects
Interior Designer:
Reiach and Hall Architects
M&E Engineer:
KJ Tait
Structural Engineer:
SKM Antony Hunts (Edinburgh)
Contractor:
Souness & Boyne
Developer:
Edinburgh College of Art
This fit-out provides excellent crisp space that utilises the existing features of the building maximising the benefits of the views and light. Even when subdivision is necessary, full height glazed partitions allow light to penetrate floor plates.
The principal’s office and boardroom on the top floor provides the flourish, with stunning executive offices and a boardroom that makes the most of the views, whilst internal decoration is provided by art installations cleverly incorporated in to the partitioning.
Set close to Edinburgh’s old town it also benefits from outstanding views including that of the Castle. The fit-out has overcome and utilised some of the base building faults, such as the split and narrow floor plates, to create effective educational and office space so well designed that one is left with the impression that the building was built specifically for the college’s purpose.
REGIONAL WINNER
LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST
HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS, 201 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON
Project Client:
Henderson Global Investors
Owner:
British Land
Project Manager:
Knight Frank
Quantity Surveyor:
Davis Langdon
Brief Consultant:
Pringle Brandon
Architect:
Pringle Brandon
Interior Designer:
Pringle Brandon
M&E Engineer:
Chapman Bathurst Partners
Structural Engineer:
Skidmore Owings & Merrill
Contractor:
Chorus Group
Investment/Property Co.:
M3 Consulting
This new state of the art environment should be commended for its carbon neutral environment which matches the BREEAM excellent base build. Carbon neutrality has only been achieved by the close monitoring of every item of material used in the fit out. This proactive approach to sustainability is continued in their relationship with the Landlord and local stakeholders.
With the floor plates designed to house less people than there are in the company a managed working desking programme has been introduced and vertically folding glazed skywalls with privacy glass technology in their meeting room areas provides adaptable meeting space.
Henderson have created a workplace that is efficient to run and has the flexibility to meet the continual changes in the fast moving office environment of the City of London.
REGIONAL WINNER
MIDLANDS AND EAST ANGLIA
DRIVING STANDARDS AGENCY, THE AXIS, NOTTINGHAM
Project Client:
Driving Standards Agency
Owner:
Henry Boot Developments
Project Manager:
Lambert Smith Hampton, Birmingham
Quantity Surveyor:
EC Harris, Nottingham
Brief Consultant:
grant thorp
Architect:
marchini curran associates
Interior Designer:
grant thorp
M&E Engineer:
Waterman Building Services, Nottingham
Structural Engineer:
Furnes Partnership
Contractor:
Ibex Interiors, Birmingham
Developer:
Henry Boot Developments
Having inherited a developer’s half thought through and partially implemented speculative project the design team’s efforts at translating the scheme into one that meets the needs of a single occupier presented enormous challenges. The execution of the project demonstrated thought and flair. An extremely interesting and thoughtful outcome which provides the DSA with much of what it needs.
Whilst its delivery as a refurbishment was in the judges' view unable to escape the limitations of previous work, the fit out of the building demonstrated flair, originality but most of all a thorough understanding of the client's needs. Throughout the building were examples of how use was maximised through careful attention to detail and thorough appreciation of how detail affects the outcome of any project.
REGIONAL WINNER
NORTH OF ENGLAND, NORTH WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, WALKER HOUSE, LIVERPOOL
Project Client:
Ministry of Defence
Project Manager:
UKLP Walker House
Quantity Surveyor:
UK Land & Property
Brief Consultant:
Walker Sime
Architect:
HKR
Interior Designer:
HKR
M&E Engineer:
HKR
Structural Engineer:
Troup Bywaters + Anders
Contractor:
Curtins
Investment/Property Co:
Pochin
Developer:
UKLP Walker House
This was an interesting challenge with the MoD relocating back to their spiritual home of Walker House, a significant listed building. The designers cleverly overcame the many different floor levels and complex plan, establishing a readily understandable layout for the staff, creating simplicity out of a very complex situation.
It was a brave decision which the developer took in translating this listed building into a modern office environment. The designers capitalised on the uniqueness of the existing structure to provide a variety of interesting work areas. The use of colour and simple forms have been utilised to create meaningful social areas. Colour and shape again play a major role in the success of the meeting room area adjacent to the entrance.
