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.
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
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
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
Teladoc, the world’s leading provider of virtual healthcare services to a wide range of insurers, large corporates, affinity groups and the NHS, has completed a relocation to larger premises in Brighton to support its sustained growth. The fit-out to its 330sq m offices was completed by BRAC Contracts, the second
ANTICIPATION is building for Nottingham City Council’s new Central Library, which sits at the heart of the Broad Marsh regeneration area, as work is now underway on the interior fit out and refurbishment with specialists Overbury. A new Central Library is one of the key elements of the regeneration of
Agilité, an international commercial interiors specialist, has announced its commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of women working in the commercial property sector. An investment of £10,000 is going towards women at all levels within the company, both in France and the UK. The commercial interiors specialist boasts a workforce
Fit-out specialist Pexhurst is currently refurbishing a spacious industrial unit for SEGRO, the leading UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The project involves the fit-out of an existing warehouse located at 160-161 Bestobell Road, Slough and is set for completion in September 2022. The warehouse is conveniently situated on the
One of the UK’s leading joinery and interior fit-out contractors, which has posted the highest annual revenues in its history, has £60 million of secured work for the new financial year. Leicester-based EE Smith Contracts, which is celebrating its 125th birthday this year, has recorded a turnover of £61.5 million
Jarltech, one of Europe’s leading specialist distributors of POS systems and Auto-ID hardware, has completed a relocation of its UK operation to newly refurbished offices in Brighton city centre. The fit-out work to the 330 sq m offices, worth £125,000, was completed by BRAC Contracts. The move to Aspect House
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
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
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
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.
Teladoc, the world’s leading provider of virtual healthcare services to a wide range of insurers, large corporates, affinity groups and the NHS, has completed a relocation to larger premises in Brighton to support its sustained growth. The fit-out to its 330sq m offices was completed by BRAC Contracts, the second such project it has delivered at Aspect House on Queen’s Road in the past few months. Active in the UK market for over 10 years, Teladoc has grown rapidly, and following the Covid-19 pandemic when this growth was further boosted, it became apparent that larger premises would be needed. Larger premises, however, needed to also meet specific post-pandemic needs as Rachel Austwick, Office Manager, explains: “Having been based in Brighton for three years, we were acutely aware of how well established the area is for the digital, professional and health industries, so we were keen to remain here as the team grew further. However, it was imperative to make the new offices not only modern, but also flexible, accessible and above all a safe environment to which we could welcome staff and those who visit us for face-to-face meetings. “We spent a significant amount of time looking for the right location and when we found Aspect House it ticked so many boxes. Not only is it a stone’s throw from both the train and bus stations, it also offered the accessibility needed for a business that welcomes visitors with mobility issues. The floor itself had great potential, offering us the chance to create from scratch our own meeting room spaces and breakout area.” The Category-B fit-out work that BRAC Contracts carried out on the fifth floor which is now occupied by Teladoc, has been comprised of M&E alterations, stud partition walls and glass partitions, kitchen and break-out area installations, and the complete refurbishment of the bathroom facilities. Commenting on the work, Rachel continues: “It’s always nice to receive recommendations for work of this kind, but the benefit that we had was being able to witness first-hand the BRAC team in action on another floor of Aspect House and get to know them that way. “From our first meeting, it was clear that the BRAC team was professional, knowledgeable and had a great pedigree. Having Tony Saxby, the Project Manager, on site made the experience smooth and the whole team was welcoming and attentive to answering our questions. From the initial quote through to the recent completion and handover, they’ve all been brilliant, and I wouldn’t hesitate in either engaging them again, or recommending them to others.” Teladoc’s new Brighton base has been designed to accommodate up to 50 team members at any given time ranging from directors, through to clinical staff and support services such as HR and IT. Concluding, Adam Clark MD at BRAC Contracts said: “Having successfully managed a commercial fit-out for Jarltech on the 3rd floor of Aspect House, it has been an honour to so quickly be recommended for another similar project in the same building. “Teladoc’s workload has exploded in the wake of the pandemic and working closely with Rachel and the team, we’ve successfully delivered a workspace that will sustain this busy team in their important work both today and for many years to come.”
ANTICIPATION is building for Nottingham City Council’s new Central Library, which sits at the heart of the Broad Marsh regeneration area, as work is now underway on the interior fit out and refurbishment with specialists Overbury. A new Central Library is one of the key elements of the regeneration of the city’s Southside area and will be surrounded by transformed streets, with pedestrianisation, planting, seating and plans for a new plaza to link through the demolished section of the former shopping centre to Lister Gate and the city centre beyond. A masterplan is in place outlining a vision for the Broad Marsh site, including green space, an enhanced entrance to the City of Caves attraction and a mixture of housing, retail and leisure uses. Working together with acclaimed architects FaulknerBrowns and M&E consultancy Chord, Overbury and Morgan Sindall Construction will transform the new Central Library shell into three modern levels split into creative zones. The project has prioritised cost-effective modern design and specification with bespoke feature joinery and ceilings, which take inspiration from Nottingham’s lace making heritage. The outstanding design also utilises carefully selected materials, including timber for a natural aesthetic and improved sustainability. The library, which is part of the new Broad Marsh Car Park and Bus Station complex, will be Overbury’s first major project to be procured through SCAPE – one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities – which has been made possible via its sister company Morgan Sindall Construction, who were appointed to the SCAPE national framework last year. This next phase of the project will see Overbury working alongside Nottingham City Council’s chosen project manager, Pick Everard. The library will then open to the public in the Summer 2023. Andrew Wood, Managing Director at Overbury, said: “Starting work on this important project for the region is incredibly exciting. Our team has years of high-quality experience to help smoothly collaborate with stakeholder partners, which will expertly bring the inspiring interior design for the new Central Library to life. Throughout the project, we also look forward to prioritising social value and sustainability, which is extremely important to us and touches everything we do.” The new library will feature a high-quality children’s library with an immersive story telling room, extensive book collection and comfortable areas to sit and read. Other amenities will include a cafe and ground floor reception area – which can be converted into a performance space, a learning lab for special activities and school class visits, meeting rooms, exhibition space and creative design areas. Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture & Planning at Nottingham City Council, said:“We are looking forward to working with Overbury to transform the interior of the Central Library, working together to see our vision for a modern library come to life. The bright state-of-the-art facility will include a fantastic children’s library and some great features and we are excited to see the work progress to create a fantastic facility for everyone to use and enjoy.” With a focus on social value, Overbury has committed to building back into the city by allocating project spend with local Nottinghamshire businesses and the wider Midlands region. Furthermore, part of this spend will be with not-for-profit local enterprises. Overbury’s in-house carbon calculation tool ‘CarboniCa’ developed by Morgan Sindall plc, will measure the embodied carbon of the project. Rob Cant, Framework Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The ability for us to work with sister companies Overbury and Lovell to deliver work on the SCAPE framework will be a huge benefit. It means we are able to provide a complete offering across every sector with clients having direct access to leading experts in construction, interior fitout and housing. On top of that, our purpose and values align perfectly with that of SCAPE’s as we collectively strive to transform local communities and leave meaningful and lasting legacies behind.” Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE said: “The Central Library is an excellent example of how a regeneration project can breathe new life into an area and deliver true social value that benefits the local community and businesses. With the support of our expert delivery team and integrated social value approach, we are excited to work with Overbury to accelerate this project forward and create a sustainable legacy for the people of Nottingham.” For more information about Overbury, please visit www.overbury.com
Agilité, an international commercial interiors specialist, has announced its commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of women working in the commercial property sector. An investment of £10,000 is going towards women at all levels within the company, both in France and the UK. The commercial interiors specialist boasts a workforce that is 31% female, including 57% of its senior leadership team. With this pledge, Agilité will be supporting CREW France and UK, affiliates of the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network, which counts for a total of 12,000 members globally. “When it comes to supporting women at all stages of their careers, I’ve seen the power of CREW first-hand, having been a member since 2019 and also sitting as the chair of CREW UK’s communication committee. We are passionate about supporting women in the real estate industry, and with bases in both the UK and France, we were keen to invest in fostering real estate talent within the local markets,” explained Agilité’s development director, Kirsty Shearer. Established in London in 2016, the past two years have seen the UK arm of the network offer leadership opportunities, via board positions and committee roles, to more than 30 real estate professionals within the UK. Meanwhile, Agilité’s investment into the fledgling CREW France will help to power a mentorship program headed by Laurence Girod, head of enterprise IPM solutions EMEA at Cushman and Wakefield. The programme will include 15 mentors from all aspects of the commercial real estate industry providing a broad perspective, guidance, and career insights to mentees. “Agilité’s support will help us to build bridges between real estate women globally,” said Siobhan Godley, head of Deloitte real estate and CREW UK board chair. “The power of the CREW Network in the United States and Canada is undisputed, and we’re delighted that, with Agilité’s longstanding support, we can open CREW UK and France to be part of an established organisation that connects, supports, and advances women globally.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Fit-out specialist Pexhurst is currently refurbishing a spacious industrial unit for SEGRO, the leading UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The project involves the fit-out of an existing warehouse located at 160-161 Bestobell Road, Slough and is set for completion in September 2022. The warehouse is conveniently situated on the popular Slough Trading Estate in close proximity to a number of local amenities and transport links. Built in 1988, the single-storey unit stands at an expansive 20,120 ft2 and is in need of modernisation. The client’s ambition is to transform the 34-year-old unit into a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable industrial and warehouse space. Pexhurst were commissioned by SEGRO for the project, working alongside Hollis as the contract administration and project manager. This is an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focussed scheme, with a net-zero carbon operation targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A+’ standards. Pexhurst was the contractor of choice, due to their experience on fit-outs of this calibre. The project required many sustainable initiatives designed to combat air pollution, reduce water wastage and improve energy efficiency. The most distinctive detail on this project is the living green wall on the warehouse’s exterior; providing not only an aesthetically pleasing attribute, but measurable sustainability impacts. The living green wall will significantly increase air quality, producing 94kg of oxygen and extracting 71kg of carbon dioxide per year. In addition to this, Pexhurst are also installing EV chargers and cycle shelters to the exterior, promoting sustainable travel. The bike sheds will also feature green roofs. Additionally, Pexhurst has installed 136 kWp of photovoltaics onto the roof, which is designed to save 26 tonnes of CO2 annually (equivalent to planting over 1,200 trees per year). The team are also installing energy efficient LED light fittings with PIR sensors and daylight sensors. With regards to improving air quality, Pexhurst are installing air source heat pumps, fresh air ventilation and carbon dioxide sensors to reduce energy consumption. The design is also water efficient, entailing waterless urinals, self-closing push taps and dual flush WC cisterns. Moreover, all carpets used in the space are carbon neutral. Pexhurst have participated in the ReEntry scheme whereby old carpet tiles from site were reused, repurposed or recycled and donated to local businesses and charities, ensuring that nothing goes to landfill. Pexhurst are also providing planting and nesting boxes for birds and bats, ensuring that local wildlife is suitably accommodated for. Pexhurst are enthusiastic with their progress on this project, as they are on track to hit their BREEAM ‘Excellent’ target, accounting for only the top 10% of refurbishment or fit-out projects in the UK. However, the extensive sustainability measures implemented by Pexhurst on the fit-out suggest that the project may even achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ grade, which accounts for less than the top 1% of the UK’s refurbishment or fit-out projects. Pexhurst’s experience is proving invaluable on this sustainable warehouse fit-out project. The contractor’s skill is ensuring that a decades-old warehouse is modernised and fit for use and is contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
One of the UK’s leading joinery and interior fit-out contractors, which has posted the highest annual revenues in its history, has £60 million of secured work for the new financial year. Leicester-based EE Smith Contracts, which is celebrating its 125th birthday this year, has recorded a turnover of £61.5 million for the year to March 31, 2022. This record-breaking activity has been secured partly by working on multiple prestigious developments including the luxurious The Peninsula London hotel overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the completion of 15 super-prime apartments in Knightsbridge in London. Profits have bounced back strongly following Covid-19 and are forecast to exceed pre-pandemic levels for the year ahead. EE Smith Contracts enters the new financial year with £60 million of secured work, with significant flagship opportunities for the months ahead. The business, which employs 285 staff, has reduced carbon emissions by over 20 per cent in the last year despite the growth in activity at its sites in Leicester and London by investing in a new £125,000 extraction system. There is also continued growth in long-established apprenticeship programmes, with 35 new apprenticeships having been recruited since the outbreak of Covid-19. Neil Simpson, Finance Director at EE Smith Contracts, said the company has enjoyed record-breaking liquidity through the year, giving it a secure platform for the coming years. He said: “The annual results to March 2022 have delivered the highest annual revenue in the company’s history which is due to the hard work and unwavering commitment of our staff. “We are in advanced discussions regarding a few contracts in the high-end residential and hotel markets which remain stable despite a challenging economic backdrop. “All this is the best possible way for the business to celebrate its 125-year history which is a history built on employee training and development and investment in cutting-edge technology, and delivering best-in-class craftsmanship. “EE Smith Contracts has a long history of training youngsters and a significant number of our current employees are former apprenticeships who have stayed with us because it is a family environment. “We have established great links with London colleges and have 30 apprentices on our sites in London who are learning from among the finest craftspeople in the country. The London labour market is very dynamic and we’re building the EE Smith Contracts family environment on those sites as well to retain our apprentices and provide a pathway for their career. “Further reductions are forecast in our carbon emissions following significant investment in carbon saving technology in the last six months because this is an area which is really important to us. “Overall, after evaluating the cost of the pandemic, which we estimate cost the business £3.8 million, to reach a stage where profits are now healthier than pre-Covid is testament to the high standard of our work and the high calibre of our staff.”
Jarltech, one of Europe’s leading specialist distributors of POS systems and Auto-ID hardware, has completed a relocation of its UK operation to newly refurbished offices in Brighton city centre. The fit-out work to the 330 sq m offices, worth £125,000, was completed by BRAC Contracts. The move to Aspect House on Queens Road, is part of Jarltech’s strategy to be more conveniently located for both existing and future customers as it seeks further growth. Harriette Wysocki, Country Manager UK&I, comments on why this has proved to be the perfect location. “With a UK-wide customer base, being located near to strong transport links is vital and with the return to face-to-face meetings, having nearby restaurants and bars to entertain those customers in is a bonus. “We viewed countless offices, but Aspect House not only ticked the boxes in terms of location, but it also provided us with a blank canvas to really make the space ours.” Local property consultants, Flude, negotiated the tenancy of the 3rd floor to Jarltech and recommended BRAC Contracts to carry out the Category B fit-out. Work included M&E alterations, stud partition walls and glass partitions to create distinct office areas, installation of a kitchen and break-out areas, and internal finishes including carpeting. Harriette continues: “Having never project managed a scheme of work like this before, it was hugely reassuring to work with a team like BRAC. I had input into all aspects of the fit-out, but they advised me with honesty and transparency and really helped to bring the vision for our new offices to life. Both myself and the 20-strong team based here are delighted with our new surroundings. “I’d have no hesitation in recommending BRAC Contracts to other businesses looking to complete a commercial fit-out and, in fact, have already done so to another new tenant here at Aspect House!” Concluding, Adam Clark MD at BRAC Contracts said: “This is the latest in a very successful run of commercial fit-out projects that we’ve completed in central Brighton in the last year alone, and it has once again been a pleasure to be recommended by the team at Flude. “Harriette and her team at Jarltech were keen to maximise the blank canvas that the third floor at Aspect House offered them and it’s fantastic that their experience of working with us has led them to recommend us to another soon-to-arrive tenant in the same building.” Aspect House is owned by Savills Investment Management and managed by Savills.
