Washington Singer Building

Providing interior design services, we supported the university’s aspiration for an industrial feel to the space using exposed ceilings, and by retaining and sympathetically refurbishing specific features we reduced waste. The fit-out focused on providing new internal doors, glazing to meeting rooms, flooring finishes and wall finishes. For the oak windows that remained, we suggested secondary glazing to improve insulation which protected the character of the windows/space.

To maximise the existing space, we undertook an initial space planning exercise. The client and end-users wanted to transform the use of the flexible meeting area predominantly as it was broken up into small and constrained laboratory spaces with no natural daylight or natural ventilation. We removed a lot of the internal walls to open the space up and introduced bespoke slatted screens to define certain areas.

The University was excited by our designs and following the new refurbishment it will look to use our design as a benchmark for quality and furnishing for future refurbishments.

Due to the flexible usage of the space being created, there were multiple stakeholder groups involved in the design process. We were required to work closely with them to find solutions that best suited all parties.

The meeting rooms within the flexible meeting space would only allow for a certain number of chairs due to the size of the proposed room, the client wanted to have more chairs in the meeting spaces to maximise usage. However, the space for the meeting rooms could not accommodate for an increase in chairs comfortably.

We were required to provide a full suite of drawings and performance specification for the tender submission. This included liaising and coordinating feature lighting and rafts with mechanical and electrical services prior to this submission to ensure elements were not clashing.

We undertook an initial space plan to gain an understanding of the space available. During the meetings undertaken with stakeholders, we produced mood boards which included proposed fixtures, fittings and equipment (FF&E), feature wall colours, floor finishes, feature lighting and bespoke elements. We discussed the coloured FF&E plan with client stakeholders to show where the furniture would sit, its finish and where each fabric was intended. Through this we ensured we had encapsulated requirements and that final finishes were fit for purpose.

Using our expert guidance and advice, we explained to the client the reasoning behind the number of chairs shown for the meeting space. We provided information on the ventilation and wellbeing of people using the space. Following this discussion, they did accept this advice and moved forward with the number of chairs advised by our team.

To assist with the tender documents, we had an initial meeting with the client to understand their brief and budget. Following this, we produced a comprehensive set of drawings which incorporated the required elements for tender such as finishes drawings, bespoke joinery, feature lighting, etc. We assisted the client in responding to clarifications during the tender process which were applicable to our designs.

We consulted with flooring suppliers to select carpet tiles that were fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle.