Watkins Payne provided MEP systems and IT cabling design services for the fit-out of 186,000ft² of commercial offices in the eight storey 1 Forbury Place in Reading, which formed the focus of SSE Services plc’s relocation strategy to consolidate several buildings from across southern England and accommodate 1,500 employees in a single location.
The Cat B fit-out design supports agile working, collaboration and connectivity, optimising employee and visitor comfort. Facilities include a café with catering facilities on the ground floor, main and secondary plant equipment rooms, a sixth floor conference and meeting rooms suite, and agile open plan office areas on other floors consisting of collaboration spaces, meeting pods and booths with VC facilities.
The majority of the base build MEP systems were retained, adapted and modified with flexibility in mind, to ‘future proof’ and support the Client’s needs.
The base build air conditioning, which is provided by electric VRF systems was modified to suit the fit-out. A standby generator was installed for resilience, and a fully networked CCTV and security access control system was provided to meet the Client’s operational requirements.
The Practice also assisted the Client in the initial due diligence exercise as part of the lease negotiations.
Client
Gross Internal Floor Area
The Crown Estate’s redevelopment of Albany House and 80-82 Mortimer Street has been an extensive and vital project to the area’s revitalization. Among the project’s numerous tasks,
New build residential development providing 142 units over 3 blocks up to 16 storeys in height.
Sustainability is incredibly important for the Client and as such the building is targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, WELL ‘enabled’ Gold, alongside WiredScore Platinum. In addition, the Design for Performance approach is being adopted in order to minimise operational energy and hence carbon emissions.
The Minerva House redevelopment works will include the partial demolition of the existing building and extension comprising of additional upper floors and a new lower ground floor.
1000 Hillswood Park is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC target of ‘A’ and a NABERS UK Design Reviewed Target Rating of 5.0 Stars.
Nash House is located on the corner of Maddox Street and St George Street in London and was constructed in 1980s. The site is right in front of the Garde I listed Church of St George and stone throw away from famous Handover Square. Currently ground floor is occupied by a retail tenant where the lower ground, 1st floor to 5th floor is office accommodation.