Willmott Dixon Interiors is to deliver the £4.4 million refurbishment of two historic buildings in Sutton, South London, as part of exciting plans to bring the town’s high street back to life. The leading fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will transform 137-145 High Street in Sutton town centre, on behalf
Office Principles North has been chosen to carry out the £1.7 million CAT A refurbishment of an office building in the heart of Milton Keynes’ business district. The office fit out and design consultancy will upgrade c.10,000 sq ft on the ground, second and third floors of One Grafton Mews, Midsummer Boulevard.
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital,
Sisk has been selected by Moderna as its preferred bidder for the fit-out of its new UK drug substance and manufacturing facility at the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC), located on the Harwell Science Campus in Oxfordshire. The MITC development will encompass a research, development and manufacturing facility, providing
Mitre Yard is a landmark residential development helping to redefine the regeneration zone of West London. Developers O’Shea, one of the largest privately-owned construction and property development companies in London and the Southeast, approached SANIPEX GROUP for help in creating interiors that are as palatial as the building’s surroundings. Situated
Contractor GRAHAM’s major refurbishment of the famed Europa Hotel in Belfast has been showcased at a launch event, marking the end of the extensive project which spanned five years and saw £15m invested. The redevelopment of the Hotel’s business suite included substantial upgrades to the 12th-floor penthouse suite and seven
Office interior design consultancy, Office Principles North, has completed the combined CAT A and CAT B refurbishment of a new Central Co-op support centre in Lichfield. The c.32,000 sq ft facility delivers a hybrid workplace destination over three floors of Central House, Queen Street and secures Central Co-op’s presence in
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading fitout specialists, has delivered its first project in the tertiary education sector – providing fitted furniture for the Clarice Pears Building which houses the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing. Built by Multiplex and designed byAtkinsRéalis, the £50m facility on the University’s
The National Science and Media Museum has announced that it anticipates a 2025 reopening, aligning with the Bradford district’s UK City of Culture celebrations. The museum temporarily closed in June last year to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation with huge changes through a £6 million capital project called ‘Sound and Vision’,
The latest in a long line of construction, fit out and design projects for Manchester Metropolitan University has been completed by Wigan based Truline Construction and Interior Services Ltd. A new, community hub for the Student Union at MMU’s Birley campus, Unit One, been innovatively designed and built by Truline.
Willmott Dixon Interiors is to deliver the £4.4 million refurbishment of two historic buildings in Sutton, South London, as part of exciting plans to bring the town’s high street back to life. The leading fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will transform 137-145 High Street in Sutton town centre, on behalf of London Borough of Sutton. Willmott Dixon Interiors will protect the historic features of both four-storey buildings, while creating 20,000 sq ft of modern retail and business space. Upper floors will provide large, open plan floor spaces, while the basement and ground floor will be refurbished as separate commercial units. New M&E arrangements will also be installed. Formerly occupied by Topshop and Vision Express, the heritage buildings form part of a broader strategy to revitalise Sutton town centre, which is being led by London Borough of Sutton. The project was tendered via Procurement Hub and is part-funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund, through which the Council secured £11.35 million to transform the town centre. Willmott Dixon Interiors has committed to investing in the local community as part of its delivery of the project. It is partnering with The South London Careers Hub and Construction Industry Training Board to promote career opportunities within the sector, with specific initiatives made available to students, women and care leavers. Simon Wilson, director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are looking forward to supporting Sutton Council’s efforts to breathe new life into the high street. Our team has vast experience in transforming underused buildings for the benefit of local people and economies. This important refurbishment will not only deliver commercial spaces fit for the 21st century but has the potential to attract new occupiers that will encourage wider town centre regeneration too.” Carolyn Dwyer, strategic director for development, growth and regeneration at the London Borough of Sutton, said: “We’re excited about the progress being made to renovate this much-loved site. By protecting the buildings’ historic features and creating a space for new businesses, this will help to guarantee a bright future for our town centre and bring new exciting opportunities for everyone living in our borough.” Courtney Cole, client relationship manager at Procurement Hub, said: “The London Borough of Sutton has demonstrated its commendable efforts in revitalising their local high street by refurbishing the former TopShop and Vision Express stores, which emphasises their commitment to enhancing the vibrancy of the community, creating a dynamic high street that will attract increased footfall. The collaboration between Procurement Hub and Willmott Dixon Interiors has been instrumental in creating a harmonious dynamic from a procurement perspective, which will facilitate the smooth execution of the project.” Willmott Dixon Interiors has gained a reputation for the successful delivery of multi million pound town centre refurbishment projects. The contractor worked with Enfield Council to complete the CAT B fit out of flexible office and meeting space at Edmonton Library, and handed over a new children and family hub at Thomas Hardy House in Enfield, which opened last year. It has also recently completed the £18.8 million redevelopment of two vacant retail warehouse assets in Oxford to deliver Inventa, the first commercial science scheme in the city’s central science district. For more information on the regeneration of Sutton High Street, please visit: https://suttontowncentre.sutton.gov.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Office Principles North has been chosen to carry out the £1.7 million CAT A refurbishment of an office building in the heart of Milton Keynes’ business district. The office fit out and design consultancy will upgrade c.10,000 sq ft on the ground, second and third floors of One Grafton Mews, Midsummer Boulevard. The new design will enhance tenant amenities through a brand new ground floor reception/welcome area, featuring social and collaborative spaces. Office Principles North will remove existing lift lobbies on the second and third floors to create additional, open plan office accommodation. New lighting will be installed, and washrooms and common areas will be refreshed. Sustainability is at the heart of the refurbishment, which will see the installation of new energy efficient M&E systems. There will also be low VOC paints, sustainable flooring products and finishes, while existing doors and raised access floors will be retained. New fire curtains will be introduced to ensure compliance with building control regulations.Office Principles North has been appointed to deliver the refurbishment following a competitive tendering process. The fast-tracked project will be completed in just 12 weeks by a team also featuring TFT, Burnley Wilson Fish and KJ Tait. Bray Fox Smith and CBRE are the letting agents. One Grafton Mews offers more than 20,000 sq ft of office accommodation and is part pre-let to Woodfines. Occupiers benefit from the use of facilities at The Pinnacle, an adjacent office development of 190,000 sq ft, home to MHA, Dentons and RSM. Tina Batham, joint managing director of Office Principles North, said: “We’re excited to be delivering this CAT A office refurbishment. One Grafton Mews is sited in a terrific location in the centre of Milton Keynes, right next to The Pinnacle, and within minutes of the train line. This project is all about making best use of that positioning by enhancing the arrival experience for occupiers and visitors, and maximising the building’s available space. We’re looking forward to the challenge of completing the refurbishment within an incredibly fast-paced programme.” For more information on One Grafton Mews, please contact retained agents, CBRE and Bray Fox Smith. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital, the new modern fit for purpose building provides a welcoming, level and accessible front entrance to the main outpatient facilities. In addition to the new entrance and reception area, the new accommodation includes meeting rooms, flexible open-plan workspaces and breakout areas, and consultants’ offices on upper floors along with areas for their support teams to work in. The new building has created the perfect office environment for employees at the site and encourages collaborative working and support; all of which service users should benefit from. The building also houses a Changing Places facility, and the new ‘Café Bede’ community café is open to the general public, visitors, staff and service users across the Hospital. The new café includes areas for inside and outside dining and is home to a time capsule that was placed in the ground during the construction works; telling the story of the build, the history of the site and the previous building for people to read in years to come. Sir Robert McAlpine completed the construction of the 3,287 sq. m, three-storey building for MDL over 19 months with the facility achieving a Design stage BREEAM Excellent standard. In addition to a replacement tree lined staff car park, the development delivers level access and a beautifully landscaped piazza area including seating and extensive planting, along with a memorial garden. The external works have transformed the previous parking area that fronts onto Newcastle Road and creates better connectivity within the estate for hospital users, staff and visitors. MDL worked with NTW Solutions Limited, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide premises that will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust. Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England. Monkwearmouth Development Ltd is a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited. It was appointed to this work through SRMCV’s place on the Pagabo Developer Led Framework, a nationwide procurement framework available for public sector organisations that focuses on delivering social value for each development. David Peck from Monkwearmouth Development LTD, said, “We could not be more delighted with the outcome, that has been a true collaboration between all the parties involved, who have created a building that is streets ahead of the one it replaced and that will make a significant difference to patients that rely on it for their care and the people that use it as their place of work.” David Hosken, Project Director at SRMCV, said, “We are immensely proud of delivering a unique facility using an innovative development solution, helping NTW Solutions Limited renew their estate with a quality building designed for modern ways of working. This fantastic project allows us to continue to build on our successes working alongside NHS Trusts to deliver developments with positive outcomes for the people who will use them.” Richard Wilks from Argon Property Development Solutions Ltd, said, “It has been a pleasure working with NTW Solutions, the Trust and the team on the ground who made this happen. Knowing that what we have delivered is already making such a positive difference to the staff, clinicians and service users is testament to everyone’s efforts to make this happen. We are so pleased to have been able to play our part in improving mental health services and the positive impact this development will have across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sisk has been selected by Moderna as its preferred bidder for the fit-out of its new UK drug substance and manufacturing facility at the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC), located on the Harwell Science Campus in Oxfordshire. The MITC development will encompass a research, development and manufacturing facility, providing the UK public with access to mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 and potentially other emerging respiratory health threats. When complete the facility will have capacity to produce up to 250 million vaccines per year in the event of a pandemic, bolstering the UK’s future pandemic resilience strategy. Construction on site has already begun with the facility expected to become operational in 2025, subject to planning and regulatory approvals. This win cements Sisk’s Life Sciences & Technology team in the heart of the UK’s biopharma-rich ‘golden triangle’ between London, Oxford and Cambridge. Harwell is the UK’s leading science and innovation campus, where government, academia and industry work together to solve the critical problems facing our planet. The campus is home to £3bn national facilities and 6,000 colleagues committed to scientific discovery and understanding. Donal McCarthy, COO, Life Sciences, Data & Tech, Sisk said: “Sisk is pleased to announce that we have won our first major life sciences project in the UK. We have a demonstrable track record of working with key US blue chip clients in Ireland and across Europe. After some key appointments internally, we now have the capability to bring this skillset to the UK. We look forward to delivering a world class facility for Moderna and growing our Life Sciences offering across the UK.” Nicolas Chornet, Senior Vice President for Resilience Operations and MITC Site Head at Moderna, said: “Construction of the MITC is well underway and we are delighted to collaborate with Sisk on this vital phase of the project. Upon completion, the facility will leverage cutting-edge mRNA technology to develop innovative vaccines for the UK public and we look forward to contributing to the UK’s dynamic life science sector through the onshoring of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mitre Yard is a landmark residential development helping to redefine the regeneration zone of West London. Developers O’Shea, one of the largest privately-owned construction and property development companies in London and the Southeast, approached SANIPEX GROUP for help in creating interiors that are as palatial as the building’s surroundings. Situated on the Grand Union Canal, the development is set to play an important role in one of the city’s most affluent and culturally energetic districts. This small pocket of London is home to huge globally recognised brands, from Harrods and Harvey Nichols to Victoria & Albert Museum and Kensington Palace. Mitre Yard offers innovation at every level – with 21 floors offering a choice of spaciously designed apartment types all with perfectly proportioned living spaces. The interior decor is specified to include a stylish palette of warm tone hues, rich vertical grain timber and complementary ceramic marbled style floor and wall tiling. Each space is sleek, functional and inviting for high-end London living. Meeting the brief, brassware solutions from the luxury BAGNODESIGN brand create an affluent atmosphere in the bathrooms, in line with the development’s underlying theme of ‘Where Architecture Meets Art’. Basin mixers and wastes, thermostatic shower mixers and shower heads from BAGNODESIGN all feature, creating the desired atmosphere of sophisticated urban elegance. Specification includes beautiful Zephyr brassware and spa-inspired Cube showerheads, along with quality AQUAECO plumbing solutions. For more details, call 01924 233977 or visit www.sanipexgroup.com/uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor GRAHAM’s major refurbishment of the famed Europa Hotel in Belfast has been showcased at a launch event, marking the end of the extensive project which spanned five years and saw £15m invested. The redevelopment of the Hotel’s business suite included substantial upgrades to the 12th-floor penthouse suite and seven meeting rooms. The luxurious function space was recently showcased at a launch event in the penthouse suite, featuring an audience with internationally renowned artist, Colin Davidson, who unveiled one of his famous blur paintings that will take pride of place in the hotel’s reception. The painting, called ‘The 71’, depicts a blurred image of a Belfast bus. Davidson is also known for his portraits of many well-known public figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and Ed Sheeran, and his critically acclaimed work ‘Silent Testimony’, a series of 18 portraits of people connected by their experiences of loss through The Troubles. Gary Holmes, regional managing director for GRAHAM’s Building North region, said: “This project is the latest in a long series of high-quality projects GRAHAM has undertaken for Hastings Hotels during our 30 year relationship, including the creation of the £53m Grand Central Hotel and a significant makeover at the Culloden Hotel and Spa Resort. “The quality of the finish is testament to our exacting approach, and it has been satisfying to see this long-awaited project complete.” GRAHAM also delivered the renovation of many of the hotel’s guest rooms, with 100 front-facing superior bedrooms, 80 classic bedrooms and five suites now boasting new furnishings and bathrooms, automated window blinds and individual air conditioning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Office interior design consultancy, Office Principles North, has completed the combined CAT A and CAT B refurbishment of a new Central Co-op support centre in Lichfield. The c.32,000 sq ft facility delivers a hybrid workplace destination over three floors of Central House, Queen Street and secures Central Co-op’s presence in the city. Its open plan design houses a variety of adaptable work settings to promote collaboration among teams and provide individuals with autonomy in how and where they work. Features include bespoke event spaces, themed meeting rooms and areas for focused activities. A breakfast bar and dining area doubles as social and entertainment space, while an outdoor terrace on the building’s third floor caters for meetings and events. The refurbishment has been shaped by Central Co-op’s commitment to the environment and social responsibility. Office Principles North has reused materials wherever possible – including reupholstering c.80% of existing furniture – while there is also new, sustainable lighting and external landscaping. Central Co-op has made a significant long-term investment in the infrastructure of Central House, including necessary roofworks, brickwork and new windows to ensure it complies with the latest building regulations. A focus on energy efficiency has secured an EPC ‘A’ rating. Office Principles North was chosen as delivery partner for the refurbishment following completion of an initial workplace consultancy project that involved Co-op colleagues. In addition to the CAT B works, the contractor has also delivered the CAT A refurbishment of 12,460 sq ft space that will be sublet by Central Co-op. Tina Batham, joint managing director of Office Principles North, said: “It has been a huge pleasure to work in partnership with Central Co-op to deliver its new Lichfield support centre. Together, we’ve created a modern, sustainable workplace that embodies the organisation’s culture and values and cements its place in the heart of the local community. The design has been shaped by Co-op colleagues and succeeds in fusing functional and creative spaces that promote both hybrid and collaborative ways of working. The project has undoubtedly enhanced Central Co-op’s existing property portfolio.” Liz Hanshaw, head of change at Central Co-op, said: “With sustainability being so core to our purpose, we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved, with a modern, light and airy space where colleagues can be at their very best to make a difference for Members and customers. Not only have we created modern, convenient spaces where colleagues can work collaboratively together, we’ve also created a place where we can proudly host our events such as our Members meetings, in the heart of the city centre.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading fitout specialists, has delivered its first project in the tertiary education sector – providing fitted furniture for the Clarice Pears Building which houses the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing. Built by Multiplex and designed byAtkinsRéalis, the £50m facility on the University’s Gilmorehill Campus brings together five academic teams from different locations across Glasgow. This has created a single multi-disciplinary centre for world-class research into improving health and reducing health inequalities. The building is named after Clarice Pears, the mother of the founders and trustees of the Pears Foundation which donated £5m towards the building’s construction. Deanestor fitted out 42 rooms across five storeys, manufacturing more than 700 items of fitted furniture and joinery which included the main reception desk in the entrance atrium, purpose-designed tables and benching to level 1, informal booth seating to encourage social interaction and quiet study, storage solutions, kitchenettes, and worktops. The choice of natural materials for the interior included extensive use of wood finishes to help promote a sense of naturalness and calm in the building. Bespoke, full height meeting booths in a maple wood finish with brightly coloured seating according to the zone, add to the aesthetic impact and were also manufactured by Deanestor. The booths were provided in different sizes and configurations and incorporate acoustic treatment with padded upholstery above head height to create a canopy that promotes quiet working in the inclusive study spaces. Each was fitted with power, data and charging facilities. Other booth-style seating arrangements were designed to encourage collaborative working and study whilst incorporating good acoustic performance with the use of upholstered screens. Ramsay McDonald, Managing Director of Deanestor in Scotland, said, “This scheme, uniquely, utilises our experience of delivering fitout contracts for state-of-the-art hospital and laboratory projects and also multi-school campuses that promote a high level of collaborative learning and social integration.” “The School of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow will help to address some of the greatest challenges facing society – in the UK and around the world – from tackling health inequality and disease to improving health and wellbeing. We are really proud to have contributed to this wonderful building that has created such an exciting global centre of research excellence.” The Clarice Pears Building is a prominent feature on a new central university square and accommodates over 8,000sqm of research, engagement and teaching space. It will be used to host workshops and knowledge exchange events, as well as to develop new multi-disciplinary postgraduate courses. The design of the building amplifies the spirit of the Institute and delivers a wellbeing and human-centric focused workspace in the city of Glasgow, which is also sustainable and uses natural strategies for light and ventilation. A welcoming and publicly accessible space has been created on the ground floor to promote knowledge sharing and public engagement. This is reflected in the informal booth seating provided by Deanestor. The project was a finalist at the recent Scottish Property Awards in the Development of the Year (Public Buildings) category. Deanestor specialises in high quality furniture and fitout solutions to construction clients and contractors for major healthcare, education, build-to-rent and student living schemes. Its teams offer both standardised and bespoke fitted furniture design, joinery, manufacturing and installation to meet specific project requirements. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The National Science and Media Museum has announced that it anticipates a 2025 reopening, aligning with the Bradford district’s UK City of Culture celebrations. The museum temporarily closed in June last year to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation with huge changes through a £6 million capital project called ‘Sound and Vision’, including two new permanent galleries, a new passenger lift and improvements to the main entrance, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The museum had initially been set to reopen this summer, however due to unforeseen delays to the excavation of an additional passenger lift shaft, it is now anticipated that the museum will open in two phases, with the building welcoming visitors at the start of the Bradford district’s City of Culture year, and the new Sound and Vision galleries launching later in 2025. Commenting on the plans, Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum said: “Our new Sound and Vision galleries will completely transform the museum’s visitor offer by showcasing our incredible collections and ensuring visitors can find stories that resonate with them. “Having an additional passenger lift is a crucial part of our transformation that will enable us to welcome many more visitors in 2025 and beyond. Despite extensive survey work before the excavation commenced, our contractors encountered an unexpected make-up of ground at the base of the lift, which took much longer to excavate than anticipated. Whilst the impact of this delay in the short term is frustrating, our Sound and Vision project will future proof the museum for decades to come. “Our new gallery designs reveal how the spaces will be dynamic, interactive and inspiring, underlining how all areas of our collection from photography to videogaming are embedded in every aspect of our lives. Visitors will be able to see the first ever photographic image; have a go at being a sound engineer; step inside the studio of a local radio station and enter a live art installation. We’ve also worked closely with local communities to ensure we’re telling stories that are relevant to Bradford, showcasing the creativity and diversity of our home city. We look forward to welcoming visitors back into the museum and into our new Sound and Vision galleries in 2025.” During this extended temporary closure, the museum will continue to engage with audiences through a vibrant off-site offer. Since June, the museum’s Learning team have been bringing their ‘Visiting You’ programme of educational workshops and activities to local schools and community venues, reaching out to more than 6,000 school children to date. The team has also developed an exciting school holiday offer in partnership with venues across the Bradford district. Elsewhere, while Pictureville Cinema remains temporarily closed until this summer, the museum continues to host a series of cult and classic film screenings as part of its busy Pictureville Presents off-site offer at Bradford Alhambra Studios. With more details about the upcoming cinema programme to be announced soon. As well as announcing the updated reopening plans, the museum has revealed a tantilising glimpse of the latest designs for its new permanent Sound and Vision galleries, including details of gallery themes and stories, along with an artist commission for an interactive installation. Thanks to £3.4m support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, the new galleries will completely transform two floors of the museum, reimagining the display and interpretation of its world-class collections of photography, film, television, animation, video games and sound technologies. Designed by gallery architects, AOC (Agents of Change), the new galleries will showcase the museum’s core collections through the four key themes of Innovation, Identities, Storytelling and Everywhere, to lead visitors on a journey through the explosion of sound and image technologies, and the impact on our lives. The latest design renders illustrate some of these themes and the key moments and stories that visitors will be able to explore throughout the galleries. In the section on Identities, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in an interactive space with ‘sound showers’, a mixing desk and dance floor to evoke the shared experience and thrill of live performances and gigs. A key moment in Storytelling will take visitors through the long history of creating animation from flipbooks and stop motion to digital illustrations through the stories of beloved fictional characters such as the March Hare from Alice in Wonderland. Local radio station, Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB) will also feature in the new galleries in Everywhere, where an interactive studio space will tell the story of how sound and image technologies have enabled local community representation in broadcasting and give visitors the chance to be a radio DJ. In a newly reconfigured part of the galleries which has opened up a double height space, artist Nayan Kulkarni has been commissioned to create an interactive installation called ‘Circus.’ Visitors will be invited to enter a room that comes to life using a captured live feed of themselves, like a chamber of mirrors, encouraging visitors to engage with broadcast technologies and see how image manipulation has changed over time. Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is incredibly exciting to see the designs of the new gallery spaces as part of the Sound and Vision project, which we’re thrilled to be supporting thanks to National Lottery players. The transformation of the National Science and Media Museum will ensure this national and local treasure is a star attraction for City of Culture 2025, and it will also have a lasting and meaningful future with local people and visitors enjoying it for generations to come. Improving access to the museum is an important element of the project, so although there is a short delay, this work will enable more people to experience the wonders of science and media.” A vibrant activity plan sits alongside the development of the new galleries, supporting greater access, representation and volunteering opportunities, focused on enabling more people to engage with the museum.
The latest in a long line of construction, fit out and design projects for Manchester Metropolitan University has been completed by Wigan based Truline Construction and Interior Services Ltd. A new, community hub for the Student Union at MMU’s Birley campus, Unit One, been innovatively designed and built by Truline. Unit One is a project for MMU that has been designed to appeal to all senses while ensuring it was a place that was fit for purpose, welcoming and encourages a longer dwell time. The venue aims to be a destination for both students and local residents and changes from a café during the day to a bar venue in the evening with live entertainment. The designers chose contrasts of texture with reclaimed timber on the front of the counter / bar and tactile fabric in colour pops for the soft furnishings. The fluted back of the banquette seating area is covered in a vibrant blue fabric and the contrasting textures beg to be touched. Acoustics have been carefully considered within the design. Bright yellow, geometric felt light fittings work with the planting scheme and acoustic wood slat wall to help ensure the sound is comfortable whether that’s day time or evening. The ceiling is a feast for the eyes with the exposed air vents, ducts and piping creating an industrial feel. Aesthetically pleasing LED light tubes have been added for further interest to keep the eyes engaged. Bright yellow, which matches the geometric light fittings, was chosen for the tiling to reflect the university brand colours and this is contrasted with orange and blue pops of colour on the chairs. The venue itself takes care of the smell and taste sensory experience with the delicious aroma of freshly ground coffee striking guests as soon as they walk in, and the homemade cakes, pastries and other snacks tempt the taste buds. Mike Hyde, Managing Director, from Truline Construction, commented: “This project is the latest with our longstanding client, MMU. We have been a trusted partner since 2016, working collaboratively with MMU to successfully deliver planned maintenance and refurbishment projects in excess of £12m during this period. Unit One was our first design project for the Student Union at MMU and hugely enjoyable. Our project team worked hard to ensure the space was delivered on time and within budget. Ultimately, we are proud to have created an attractive and inviting space for staff, students and local Hulme community residents to enjoy.” The practicalities of a day to night venue are also considered by the Truline Construction team. This includes dozens of plug sockets for remote working, a range of seating from more formal upright areas for dining, comfy chairs to lounge in and variety of options for work spaces. The option to sit at high breakfast bar stools also changes the energy within Unit One. Seating in the large windows makes the most of the natural light while the view is softened with hanging plants to add a level of privacy to those seats. The lighting can also be altered to have a huge impact of the mood and reflect the time of day or night transforming it totally from casual coffee shop into buzzing bar. Louise White, head of finance and performance, from MMU: “Truline Construction totally understood the look and feel of what we were looking for and have created a welcoming space that feels part of MMU and is also a destination for local residents. It was key to create a space that supports a circular economy and encourages longer dwell time whether that’s for work or pleasure. Both have been perfectly catered for and since opening it’s been a hugely popular venue.” Truline Construction is a leading commercial interior design and construction provider and is a living wage employer. Employing over 50 people in the north west, Truline offers a full service from design to installation. For more information, please visit https://truline-cis.co.uk/ <https://truline-cis.co.uk/> and to read more about designing for the senses, please visit https://truline-cis.co.uk/2024/03/12/commercial-interior-design-for-the-senses/ <https://truline-cis.co.uk/2024/03/12/commercial-interior-design-for-the-senses/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
