17th April 2013
Office building brought back to life after refurbishment
A dated office building in North Bristol has been brought back to life following an intensive refurbishment programme, project managed by Alder King and designed by Wylde Interior Architecture.
The mid-1980’s property at 22 Apex Court, Woodlands in Bradley Stoke is owned and occupied by the Society for Endocrinology, a learned society and charitable organisation with 62 staff which also occupied an adjacent overspill building. New chief executive Leon Heward-Mills described the office as one of the worst he’d ever seen, with 6,000 sq ft of inefficient, cluttered, cellular space over three floors.
Keen to implement a positive cultural change on the organisation, Heward-Mills appointed Wylde IA to create an inspiring environment and they in turn recommended Alder King’s building consultancy team who delivered the works in a seven week refurbishment programme.
The building was stripped back to its shell and a new more flexible open plan layout was created, with new lighting and improved heating, a new cafe and meeting rooms. Striking artwork was commissioned from Bristol-based Artworks Solutions.
New meeting rooms and a cafe reduced the total amount of desk floor space but gave the Society greatly enhanced working conditions and improved efficiency. Many staff work part-time and the new layout perfectly suits the Society’s agile working practices.
The adjacent overspill building became surplus to requirements, bringing all staff together for the first time and providing a substantial saving on property costs.
Paul Montague, partner at Alder King, said: “The building was in need of a comprehensive refurbishment. Cellular layouts on small floor plates over three floors are the worst kind of space. The refurbishment has completely transformed the building’s appeal and longevity.”
Mike Rowen of Wylde IA said: “This is an excellent example of how a cost effective refurbishment can rescue a building and reinvigorate the organisation that occupies it. It was a very exciting project and everyone is absolutely delighted with the results.”
Leon Heward-Mills, chief executive of the Society, added: “As an organisation, the Society has gone through a significant rebranding process and enhancement of the way in which we operate. Central to this change has been the need to create a working environment that not only comfortably accommodates our current and anticipated staffing requirements, but one which – from an aesthetic perspective – is an enjoyable, comfortable, practical and inspiring workplace. We believe this has been achieved.”
DP Designs from Bromsgrove was the contractor.