REA is the largest renewable energy and associated clean technology body in the UK. They represent over 500 companies and organisations nationwide and as a direct result of the climate emergency, the REA team is growing fast.
When REA reached out to JBH Refurbishments they were preparing to move into a new premises that would accommodate their expanding workforce and facilitate their future growth.
The new REA office space was located at York House, Kingsway in central London, a stone’s throw from their exiting office at Lancaster House.
Although it ticked all the boxes for location and floor space, the layout needed to be reconfigured to provide more agreeable meeting spaces.
After a site visit and competitive quotation, JBH Refurbishments was contracted to carry out the works, which involved creating a flexible meeting space that could be easily adapted to meet varying needs – from small intimate meetings to the company’s AGM.
While the office fit out project presented a straightforward partitioning installation, we had to consider the requirement for flexible use, as well as the flow of natural light to the adjoining communal space.
Working closely with the client it was agreed that we would create two meeting rooms that could be converted into one large space via a folding wall partition. When the partition was closed, it would create two individual spaces – one larger conferencing room and one smaller meeting area.
The folding office partitioning worked on an easy-to-use bifold mechanism and featured acoustic panels to ensure both rooms were sound proof when occupied.
The newly partitioned meeting rooms were situated along the window side of the building; therefore, the dividing walls could potentially block out the natural light to the adjoining communal area. To ensure the communal space could still benefit from the natural light, we decided to use full height glazed partition walls and doors on the adjoining side.
Changing the layout of the meeting rooms meant we need to dismantle the suspended ceiling to make the neccessary modifications. For the floor, we avoided having to re-carpet the entire area by colour matching the new carpet tiles with the existing.
Finally, we installed the screens in both rooms to present two fully usable, finished and flexible meeting spaces ready for REA to move in.
"Having worked with JBH on previous projects, we went back to them because of their professional project management, collaborative approach and high quality work. Despite this project having very tight timescales, JBH worked with us to ensure the fit-out was completed safely, on time and on budget. I would have no hesitation in using JBH again," Stuart Pocock, Chief Operating Officer for REA.
As a commercial fit out contractor, we work with occupants and landlords to develop interiors that are ready to move in to. The REA office project was a great example of how JBH Refurbishments supports the growth of businesses in London and the South East through simple and manageable design and layout alterations.
If you are on the move and need some support getting your new office ready, please speak to our team today via our contact form.
