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.
Academy House was refurbished to provide 22,100ft² of high quality office accommodation. Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering which saw the 3rd to 6th floor including the ground floor reception of Academy House converted into open plan office areas and reception. This became the London headquarters for Sports Direct.
The Grade II listed 21 St James’ Square building has been refurbished to offer 89,000ft² of high quality office accommodation, for which Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering, vertical transportation engineering, energy consultancy to achieve an BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC B rating.
Skyline development for SEGRO plc provides well-connected Grade A logistics, distribution and warehousing facilities as it is adjacent to Heathrow Airport and the immediate motorway and rail networks.
Unit 8, in Tangmere Business Park near Chichester, has been provided with a complete refurbishment giving both the warehouse and associated office space attached a much needed re-fresh and new feel.