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Mace appointed for its largest interiors project

Mace appointed for its largest interiors project

Cristina Diaconu January 3, 2023

Mace has been appointed as the main contractor on the refurbishment of Fleet Street’s Peterborough Court, the largest interiors project for the Group in the past decade. Construction has started on the landmark Fleet Street office development scheme, Peterborough Court, the former European headquarters of Goldman Sachs. Peterborough Court, located

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How to Boost Restaurant with the Perfect Interior Design

How to Boost Restaurant with the Perfect Interior Design

BDC News Team December 9, 2022

No matter what type of catering industry you want to be in, you need to arrange the interior accordingly. For some time now, restaurant décor has become even more crucial. Guests mostly pay attention to what they find on the menu and the restaurant’s interior design. The interior has to

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Willmott Dixon interiors chosen for new life sciences hub in Oxford

Willmott Dixon interiors chosen for new life sciences hub in Oxford

Lisa Pollinger November 2, 2022

Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver a new biomedical research and development facility in central Oxford. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will redevelop two former retail warehouse assets on Botley Road into c.65,000 sq. ft of world-class laboratory and creative office space. Known as Inventa, the redevelopment

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Paramount go back to the future with new Bristol office

Kenneth Booth October 15, 2022

Fit out, Design and Build specialists Paramount have used maritime history to inspire their new South West of England base and help revitalise a “forgotten” part of Bristol. The company’s design team have delved deep into the past and taken a lead from local architecture in a move it is

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Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Trades : Fit-Out & Interiors News

Orega to create 27,000 sq ft of flex space in Marlow -providing over 500 workspaces for local businesses

Orega to create 27,000 sq ft of flex space in Marlow -providing over 500 workspaces for local businesses

BDC News Team January 20, 2023

Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create high spec flexible workspace at Marlow International, Parkway, Marlow, Berks, SL7.  The new space will open in Spring 2023. The 27,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has will be newly refurbished and will provide over 500 workstations, designed to appeal to teams of all sizes – from 5 people to 100 plus – on the (2nd floor) of the 230,000 sq ft building. In addition, there will be substantial collaboration, meeting and event spaces. Marlow International is a Grade A corporate HQ building set in 12 acres of secured landscaped grounds located one mile east of Marlow town centre. It is extremely well connected, being just 200 yards from the main access road from the A404, which connects the M4 (J8/9) 8 miles south with the M40 (J4) 3 miles north. Marlow is situated just 33 miles west of Central London, 20 miles northwest of Heathrow Airport and 14 miles east of Reading. The workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base offering new: Marlow is the fourth flexible workspace that Orega has launched in the Thames Valley. The flex space provider also offers flex space from offices in Uxbridge, Slough and Stockley Park. Altogether it operates from 22 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “The demand for flexible office space has spread out of the capital into the Thames Valley and beyond. Operating flex space in Marlow will enhance our spread of offices across the region and will increase our presence in this prosperous and growing local economy.” “We believe our space will be particularly attractive to corporates who want the flexibility of not being tied into long leases as they negotiate these uncertain economic times.” He added, “As a business we are finding that the market has turned. We are now increasingly approached by landlords who want to engage with us to create an income from their under-utilized space and to mitigate voids, whilst retaining control of their asset and brand. “ “This is what our bespoke partnership model is all about.” Hollis Hockley and Cushman & Wakefield advised the landlords. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Deanestor awarded its largest school fitout contract to date - a £5m project for BAM

Deanestor awarded its largest school fitout contract to date – a £5m project for BAM

BDC News Team January 11, 2023

Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading school fitout specialists, has been awarded its largest contract to date in the education sector – a £5m project for BAM to manufacture furniture and fit out the two high schools on the Dunfermline Learning Campus. The Deanestor team will supply and install more than 42,000 items of loose and fitted furniture for St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School – that are relocating to Dunfermline Learning Campus in Fife. Due to open by Summer 2024, the high school project is part of a wider learning campus development, which also sees the construction of the new Fife College. The schools project is being delivered by the Council’s partner, hub East Central Scotland. Designed by AHR, AECOM and Rybka, the 27,000sqm scheme is one of the UK’s largest Passivhaus education buildings. The architectural design is based on Passivhaus standards to improve internal comfort levels and reduce energy consumption and life cycle maintenance. The transformational facilities will offer a consolidated approach to learning and life skills that will support a clearer pathway from secondary education to training, further education and into employment. The new co-located high schools will retain their independence and identities with shared core facilities, such as assembly halls, dining space, outdoor education zones, and multi-purpose sports pitches. Ramsay McDonald, Managing Director for Deanestor in Scotland, said, “This is our largest school fitout contract to date and we are even more thrilled that it is local to our Scottish headquarters in Dunfermline. We are pleased to be playing our part in such a visionary and ambitious education scheme which will provide world class facilities for students, the local community, and businesses across the region.” Deanestor will manufacture a range of education furniture for the new high schools, including teaching walls, storage solutions, worktops, shelving, and kitchen units. Its team will fit out over 500 rooms across both schools and the shared facilities. The interior design theme is based around the principles of openness, connectivity, and inclusiveness. The colour palette will reflect the branding and identities of both schools and will use greys and muted shades of green and blue to echo the local landscape, the history of Fife, its industrial heritage, and growth of the area. The fitted furniture and joinery from Deanestor will be finished in white and different tones of grey. The new campus will have a wide range of facilities including learning plazas to promote collaboration, digitally-enabled learning zones, outdoor learning areas, break-out booths for individual study, and a pioneering learning lab featuring performance analysis, media studio, recording booth, food technology, and extensive creative project space. Deanestor manufactures and installs robust and flexible loose and fixed furniture solutions for early years, primary, SEN, and secondary education, fitting out areas such as classrooms, science laboratories, ICT, design and technology, atria, social dining spaces, break-out areas, sports facilities, and changing rooms. The company has extensive design, technical and project management experience in fitting out large campus projects and award-winning school architecture – on time and to the highest quality standards. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/education, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Mace appointed for its largest interiors project

Mace appointed for its largest interiors project

Cristina Diaconu January 3, 2023

Mace has been appointed as the main contractor on the refurbishment of Fleet Street’s Peterborough Court, the largest interiors project for the Group in the past decade. Construction has started on the landmark Fleet Street office development scheme, Peterborough Court, the former European headquarters of Goldman Sachs. Peterborough Court, located at 133 Fleet Street, will be remodelled to create 292,000 sq ft of curated Grade A workspace and ground floor retail across eleven floors. The iconic property offers flexible floor plates of between 16,000 sq ft and 33,000 sq ft, with access to private terraces across four floors and public courtyard open space. The scheme will be available for occupation from Q2 2024. CBRE and JLL are joint leasing agents. Peterborough Court features transformed Fleet Street and Shoe Lane building entrances, activated frontages, a long gallery entrance with new glazing, and redesigned interiors aligned to the highest sustainability standards, health and wellness and dual-feed, 100% ‘All-Electric’ technology. The building will target green building certification BREEAM status of ‘Excellent’, or better, as well as ‘Platinum’ ratings for WELL (health and well-being), Wiredscore (broadband connectivity) and ActiveScore (commuter convenience). In addition, a minimum EPC energy efficiency rating of ‘B’ rating will be achieved. Peterborough Court has excellent transport and cycle connections adjacent to the Fleet Street conservation area. The property will offer c. 600 cycle spaces, EV charging points, luxury showers, lockers, changing and support facilities to appeal to London’s cyclist commuter market. The design features SMART technology, outdoor spaces, attractive on-site F&B amenities and impressive leisure facilities. The building is expected to exceed LETI 2030 and RIBA Climate Challenge 2030 embodied carbon targets. The £120 million investment programme for Peterborough Court is managed by Broadwater Capital. Mace, the international construction and consultancy firm, has been appointed as the main contractor on the scheme and will be supported by JRA for architectural services and BDP for structures and lighting. Gardiner & Theobald provide Project Management and Cost Consultancy services and Gerald Eve act as the planning advisor. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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How to Boost Restaurant with the Perfect Interior Design

How to Boost Restaurant with the Perfect Interior Design

BDC News Team December 9, 2022

No matter what type of catering industry you want to be in, you need to arrange the interior accordingly. For some time now, restaurant décor has become even more crucial. Guests mostly pay attention to what they find on the menu and the restaurant’s interior design. The interior has to comply with current regulations, be user-friendly, consistent with the character of the cuisine served, easy to maintain, sustainable, safe and visually appealing. Buildeo, explain how you meet all these requirements? Quality of the Entrance – Vital Element of a Successful Restaurant For the restaurant with an entrance directly from the street, ensure the use of high-quality flooring materials. The renovation experts recommend materials that are resistant to contact with abrasive contaminants such as particles of sand, mud, soil, and dust, often in combination with rainwater and snow. In such premises, especially in the entrance area, it is advisable to use ceramic tiles with the highest possible abrasion resistance or unglazed porcelain stoneware, which can also be visually attractive, especially those produced with double-fill technology. Clinker tiles will also work well. Before making a final decision, check that the selected tiles have the documents required by the regulations, such as technical approvals and health and safety certificates. Restaurant Remodelling – Health and Safety First Health and safety regulations are of fundamental importance throughout a restaurant – from the storage area through the kitchen to the dining area. Sanitary inspections are frequent and often unexpected. All surfaces must be safe and easy to clean. They must therefore be resistant to moisture, chemical cleaning agents and staining substances. Ceramic flooring has the advantage that, even after intensive use over many years, it shows no signs of so-called ‘fatigue’ and can be easy to maintain daily. Restaurants Renovations – Furniture-based Interior Design Restaurants often change their menus and decorative elements with the seasons. For this reason, it is advisable to use a versatile interior design that will be functional and suitable, surrounded by different décor elements. Restaurant furniture made of solid materials with a simple and minimalist form will be an excellent choice in this case. Bespoke furniture provides the possibility of creating a unique space and is worth consideration. In case of a smaller budget, custom-made furniture is a perfect alternative. Digital signage is one of the best ways to create an atmosphere in your restaurant whilst informing guests of menu changes, specials, and other information. Manoe Media’s digital signage software is one of the leading solutions.  Match the Décor of the Restaurant with the Type of Cuisine Restaurants that serve foreign cuisine refer to the culture of a particular country. The interiors of such establishments are usually reminiscent of picturesque corners from various places in the world. For example, the restaurants serving Greek cuisine use blue and white colours in their interior design because of the blue roofs of the white houses. Restaurants serving Chinese cuisine use the ubiquitous red colour, and the décor accessories are usually stately Chinese lanterns. The Role of Restaurant Interior Lighting The right vibe has a significant influence on guest satisfaction. Restaurant lighting is an essential element of the atmosphere. Consider dimming the dining area for a romantic ambience. However, two crucial considerations need to be balanced: the efficiency of the restaurant staff and the guests’ experience. The light must not be too intense but also too dim so as not to impede the work of the service staff. Lamps of all kinds – ceiling lamps, table lamps, floor lamps – are vital lighting elements. The correct positioning of the artificial light sources will not only help to create a unique atmosphere in the restaurant but, more importantly, will make up for any lack of natural light. Consider using more than just ceiling lighting. Restaurant Space and Interior Designers’ Solutions When opening a restaurant business, we sometimes opt for smaller premises for financial reasons or because we do not find a suitable property. Refurbishment companies often work with interior designers who effectively use optical enlargement methods. The use of colour, reflections, texture, lines, and uniform or varied tile formats will separate various functional zones. In summary, many factors influence the appearance of a restaurant. The restaurant furnishings should harmonise with the business concept and the cuisine. It is also crucial to match the décor to the customer’s preferences. The key to success is to create a comfortable interior and thus introduce a pleasant atmosphere. It is worth considering hiring a general contractor and an experienced renovation team to ensure the project goes smoothly and without delays. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Office Principles North wins brief to design Shoosmiths’ Birmingham home

Office Principles North wins brief to design Shoosmiths’ Birmingham home

Kenneth Booth December 2, 2022

Leading interior design consultancy Office Principles North has announced that it will deliver the workspace of law firm Shoosmiths in Birmingham. Office Principles North will fit out 28,449 sq ft across the 11th, 12th and 20th floors of the new, state-of-the-art 103 Colmore Row development in the city centre. The consultancy has worked in collaboration with Shoosmiths to design the new workspace, which it says will become a hybrid “workplace destination” for both clients and Shoosmiths’ legal advisers and colleagues. The project is expected to be ready for occupation in Q2 2023. Tina Batham, joint managing director of Office Principles North said: “We’re incredibly excited about delivering Shoosmiths’ new Birmingham office in one of the city’s most iconic buildings. This workplace will be a destination that blurs the lines between work and home and will deliver a hugely memorable experience for Shoosmiths’ colleagues and clients alike – with lots of places and features to discover. “We’ve worked together with Alex Bishop and Beth McArdle to design a space that has people, hospitality and choice at its heart. It’s a warm, accessible and inclusive environment that reflects and celebrates the very best of Birmingham’s past and present, using locally designed and sourced materials wherever possible. We can’t wait to deliver it.” Beth McArdle, partner and co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office said: “We are very pleased to be working with Office Principles North on the design of our space in 103 Colmore Row. We want it to be a destination space, and we can’t wait to showcase that to our colleagues and clients in the New Year.” Alex Bishop, partner and co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office, said: “It is our vision that 103 will serve as a shining example of post-pandemic working done right. We have been working tirelessly with the team to ensure that, upon completion, this will be more than just an office space and somewhere that the whole firm can take pride in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Topping out ceremony at Hope Street celebrates milestone of landmark project

Topping out ceremony at Hope Street celebrates milestone of landmark project

BDC News Team November 16, 2022

Construction and fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, have reached a key milestone at the ground-breaking project, Hope Street, celebrating the topping out ceremony on 18 October 2022. The unique project for client, One Small Thing – a charity that supports women affected by the justice system – will provide a positive and healing environment for women and their children to rebuild their lives with peer support. Located in the Southampton Conservation Area, Hope Street combines residential accommodation with a creche and community hub building including a cafe; where residents can mingle, gain access to support and workplace skills and take part in therapies and wellbeing activities. As main contractor on the project, Chisholm & Winch has been pivotal to the project from the design stages, working closely and collaboratively with architects Snug, subcontractors, Harris Bugg Studio, as well as client, One Small Thing. The Chisholm & Winch team has now completed the final stages of the roof area over the main Hub, by installing a cold applied liquid waterproofing solution from Bauder, as well as completing the 42 sq. m zinc roof over the Hub building.   Oriel frameless box windows are now in place, enhancing the centre’s trauma-informed approach to design which has focussed on introducing lots of natural light, the use of tactile materials and creating a connection to the outdoors. The windows have also added improved thermal efficiency to the building as a sustainable glazing solution. The team has also installed the floor deck within the Hub and completed the plastering of the walls. The final floor finishes within the residential apartments are also complete. Hope Street is on target to meet the top BREEAM rating of ‘Outstanding’, thanks to its excellent levels of thermal insulation, air source heat pump heat supply, natural daylighting and reduction of the embodied energy of the fabric through a cross laminated timber frame. In attendance at the topping out celebration were members of the Chisholm & Winch project team, as well as Snug Architects and attendees from One Small Thing: Chief Executive, Claire Hubberstey, and the charity’s Chair and Founder, Lady Edwina Grosvenor. Commenting on the topping out, Stuart Honey, Project Manager at Chisholm & Winch, said: “This is a really important stage of the project as we have installed the main roof and windows of the building and have completed the first stages of fit-out inside the apartments and Hub building. “The scaffolding has now been removed from the main residential area as we approach the final phase on site. This is such a special and impactful project to be involved in, we’re all proud of how it’s coming together and we are really looking forward to handing it over.” Claire Hubbertsey, Chief Executive of One Small Thing, commented: “Women who are in prison are some of the most disadvantaged in our society, many having had long histories of trauma. The majority are on short sentences for non-violent crimes. In this time, women can lose their children, their homes, their jobs, and much more. “The conception, evolution and development of Hope Street has been at the cutting edge of innovation in re-imagining how women interact with the justice system so that their lives, and the lives of their children, are no longer torn apart and can instead be positively impacted. “The underpinning principle of working with Chisholm & Winch is about harnessing that common ambition to re-imagine the justice system. I am delighted that this topping out ceremony marks a significant milestone in the journey towards the completion of a pioneering residential community that will transform lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Deanestor delivers £1.6m fitout contract for high-performing academy near Glasgow

Deanestor delivers £1.6m fitout contract for high-performing academy near Glasgow

BDC News Team November 11, 2022

Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading fitout specialists, has delivered a £1.6m contract for one of the highest performing secondary schools in Scotland. Built by McLaughlin & Harvey for East Dunbartonshire Council, the new £40.9m Boclair Academy in Bearsden near Glasgow has created a state-of-the-art learning environment for 1,000 pupils. The school was designed by Ryder Architecture. This was Deanestor’s fourth project for McLaughlin & Harvey and it follows earlier fitout projects at Hopefield Primary School in Midlothian and two primary schools for Scottish Borders Council. Deanestor fitted out 228 rooms across the new Boclair campus, which reflects the latest thinking for curriculum delivery. According to Neil Kemp, Senior Project Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, “Despite the challenges of Brexit and the covid pandemic, the project and the fit out went very well and we were able to hand the new campus over early. The quality of the furniture manufactured by Deanestor met our expectations and requirements. The finished school looks fantastic, particularly the open plan spaces, and staff and students at the Academy are absolutely delighted with their new facility.” Charles Riach, Architect at Ryder Architecture, said, “The finished school is outstanding. The design both internally and externally references the quality, textures and colours of the surrounding architecture and landscape. Deanestor has once again delivered the brief and the design for the furniture and fitout, and their team worked well with us at each stage.” Gillian Renwick, East Dunbartonshire Provost, said, “There is a great feeling of warmth and community within Boclair Academy. Since the doors opened, pupils, teachers and staff have really made this new building their own.” The school environment has been designed to encourage collaboration and to foster a cross-curricular approach in which key subject areas work closely together. There is also a mix of interdisciplinary, thematic, and subject-focused learning supported by flexible educational spaces. Deanestor provided a wide range of contemporary fitted and loose furniture, soft furnishings, teaching aids, lockers, and equipment for sports, crafts, design and technology, science laboratories, and food technology – from mirrors and ballet barres to a kiln and laboratory fume cupboards. Its team manufactured bespoke items of furniture, including the solid oak reception desk, storage cabinets, booth seating, benching, lockers, and teaching aids. Specially designed tiered seating in a beech finish was provided by Deanestor which doubles up as informal break-out spaces to encourage social interaction. Nearly 3,000 items of loose furniture were also supplied as part of Deanestor’s FF&E contract, such as tables and chairs, dining tables, modular soft seating, mobile storage, and over 300 sofas. The interior design strategy reflects the school’s corporate identity and uses two shades of blue to help unify different spaces across the campus. Natural colours and tones feature extensively to complement the surrounding landscape and there are views into the hillside. Royal blue and a lighter blue were used for soft furnishings and the fitted furniture was manufactured in a light summer oak finish. The new academy has a double-height entrance atrium, flexible learning zones, performance spaces and social dining, as well as improved outdoor sports facilities.  Deanestor manufactures and installs robust and flexible loose and fixed furniture solutions for early years, primary, SEN, and secondary education, fitting out areas such as classrooms, science laboratories, ICT, design and technology, atria, social dining spaces, break-out areas, sports facilities and changing rooms. Its experienced designers and project managers work with architects, contractors and directly with schools and local authorities, advising on specification of furniture and equipment to help deliver inspirational learning environments. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/education, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com . Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Tall Building Working Group publishes a report on impact of building movement on drylining

The Tall Building Working Group publishes a report on impact of building movement on drylining

Kenneth Booth November 9, 2022

Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) and the Tall Building Working Group (TBWG) have published a report which investigates the causes of noise emanating through the fabric of some tall buildings, identifies methods of remediation and provides guidance for affected buildings. The Tall Building Working Group (TBWG) was formed in 2018 to address a global phenomenon where creaking can be heard in tall residential towers in high wind conditions. The group was established under the umbrella of trade body Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) and set about bringing together the entire supply chain, namely developers, tier 1 contractors, manufacturers, architects, specialist drylining contractors and engineers who are involved in the specification and construction of buildings where noise issues have been reported. The starting point was to investigate the root cause of this phenomenon and then look at how occurrence can be reduced or better managed in new towers by providing better guidance for architects, engineers, designers and developers. The group engaged with individuals and organisations from across the globe and absorbed the findings of all available secondary research before embarking on a structured research programme of their own, funded by members of the TBWG. Further research was carried out by structural engineers WSP to present, in a graphical format, the inter-storey differential movement in vertical and horizontal directions affecting partitions and other elements of fit out. This document explains to the project fit out designer how a high-rise tower reacts to external loads. The key to reducing the phenomenon occurring in future tall towers is sharing the information contained in the structural engineer’s movement and tolerance reports early with the system owners of the drylining, and providing movement joints to allow the elements of the internal fit out to move independently. Manufacturers have been exploring different solutions and methods of mitigation. At this stage none have been able to completely eliminate the sound. Commenting on the work, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said: “I think this is a first. I cannot think of a single time when the construction supply chain has attacked a problem in this way. Rather than battening down the risk hatches, reaching for the contract and starting the blame game, this was a genuine attempt to work together to understand and collaborate to solve it. This is a body of work all involved can be proud of, not just because it will help unravel some potentially complex issues or maybe help people sleep more soundly, but because it is an example of how we can collaborate and be better as an industry.” The TBWG is planning to hold another conference to share the report outcomes with the delivery teams, meanwhile a summary report is available here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Willmott Dixon interiors chosen for new life sciences hub in Oxford

Willmott Dixon interiors chosen for new life sciences hub in Oxford

Lisa Pollinger November 2, 2022

Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver a new biomedical research and development facility in central Oxford. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will redevelop two former retail warehouse assets on Botley Road into c.65,000 sq. ft of world-class laboratory and creative office space. Known as Inventa, the redevelopment is being delivered on behalf of a joint venture between property developer, Mission Street, and BentallGreenOak, a global real estate investment management advisor, which acquired the property in 2021. Willmott Dixon Interiors will reuse and extend the existing structure of the two warehouse buildings, adding a new internal floor and a colonnade to the north elevation. The additional floorspace will enable the creation of a new reception area and a combination of sustainable new spaces for market-leading life science companies. They include enhanced common areas and meeting rooms, new collaboration and circulation spaces, breakout areas and café provision, as well as a new cycle centre and shower facilities. The building fabric will also be substantially upgraded, including a new façade, while new mechanical and electrical services will also be installed. Externally a cycle and pedestrian route and a newly landscaped car park will create a revitalised visitor experience, with landscaping at the rear of the building doubling as an area for flood mitigation. Inventa is expected to be complete in summer 2023. Graham Shaw, managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Inventa will transform a redundant retail space into an exciting and dynamic science hub in one of the world’s leading research and innovation locations. We will be delivering a sustainable building with high quality facilities that will foster collaboration and meet a growing demand from life sciences companies in central Oxford.” The project team includes Owers Warwick Architects (Cambridge), Abakus Consulting, Buro Four Project Services and Hilson Moran Partnership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Paramount go back to the future with new Bristol office

Kenneth Booth October 15, 2022

Fit out, Design and Build specialists Paramount have used maritime history to inspire their new South West of England base and help revitalise a “forgotten” part of Bristol. The company’s design team have delved deep into the past and taken a lead from local architecture in a move it is hoped will invigorate Bristol’s historic Welsh Back dock area. The interior design of the harbourside office painstakingly reflects the area’s history with corten steel, burnt timber, rope and metalwork all prominent features all tying the base to the docks. The focal points of the workspace are the boardroom which is hidden behind a slatted door and a bar area which resembles a boat-shaped below a rusted cage structure named the Portcullis in keeping with maritime traditions. Local architectural firm AWW was responsible for the creative concept of the building regeneration. Developer and investor was V7. Gareth Davies, Paramount’s Senior Designer who masterminded the design, said: “We are privileged to be able to call Bristol’s famous floating harbour the setting for our new office because it’s an area that is steeped in history. “We’ve gone Back to the Future for inspiration to create a hybrid working environment that celebrates the bygone days of the Welsh Back area. “A workspace that encourages professional collaboration and helps build team dynamics with a nod to the storied past of Bristol’s dock area was our priority and we’ve worked hard to turn that vision into a reality.” Taking inspiration from neighbourhoods, it is hoped that Paramount’s new workplace will become a thriving community for their teams and industry colleagues alike. Paramount Sales Director Kevin Mashford, who will lead the Bristol team, added: “We set out to create Bristol’s most ‘Instagrammable’ office and thanks to our exceptionally talented design and project team I am proud to say we have achieved our goal. “With a variety of interconnected spaces our new office is a prime example of how you can take inspiration from ‘community’ and create neighbourhoods within the office where the same energy and connection people feel sitting in a coffee shop, or the same level of focus they experience in their own home, can be achieved within one space. “These are exciting times for Paramount, and we are proud to play a part in the regeneration of the Welsh Back area which is forgotten for some people but is now really buzzing and is set to be a brilliant place to do business and socialise.” The new workplace signals the acceleration of Cardiff-headquartered Paramount’s growth and will create up to 20 specialist jobs in the city as it targets £50-million turnover within three years.  Paramount Managing Director Richard Jones, who led a management buyout in 2018, said: “Our brilliant new office represents a substantial investment by Paramount which will ensure company growth continues to gather pace across the South West of England. “The Bristol base is a real statement of intent and demonstrates our confidence. Paramount will strengthen its presence in a vibrant region and build on our proud reputation as a company with an outstanding record of creating places where people want to be.” Bristol-based Bafta-nominated natural history film-making company, Offspring Films also now call the Welsh Back building home following a design and fit-out by Paramount.  Paramount, whose turnover currently stands at £33.5million, is already well known across England where it has developed office space for a number of leading companies and have revitalised 360 Bristol – formerly South Plaza – in Bristol city centre.

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