Delivering a modern, collaborative workplace within an eight-week programme
JBH Refurbishments was appointed to design and refurbish the new office space for Tony Gee, a leading engineering consultancy with offices around the globe.
This was the second office refurbishment completed by JBH Refurbishments for Tony Gee, following the successful fit-out of the company’s Kent office. Having been impressed with the design, project delivery and overall management of the previous refurbishment, Tony Gee selected JBH to deliver its new office at Trident House in St Albans.
Ahead of the relocation, JBH Refurbishments developed a design that transformed the space into a welcoming, vibrant and professional workplace that reflected the company’s culture and future growth plans.
The project was successfully completed within eight weeks, thanks to detailed planning, effective project management and the dedication of our skilled trades team, led by Project Manager Callum Thompson.
Tony Gee was preparing to relocate to a new office on the second floor of Trident House in St Albans, a multi-use commercial building located within walking distance of the city's mainline railway station.
The office required refurbishment before the lease expired on the company's existing premises. Having previously worked with JBH Refurbishments on the Kent office project, Tony Gee’s stakeholders were confident that the team could deliver the St Albans fit-out within the required timeframe.
During the initial site inspection, several key requirements were identified:
- Layout alterations to create an open-plan workspace accommodating approximately 54 desks, together with a boardroom, meeting room, quiet room, reception area, waiting area and kitchen with ample seating.
- M&E modifications, including the installation of new air conditioning systems within meeting rooms and the introduction of an extract system throughout the office space.
- Acoustic solutions to minimise reverberation within the open-plan working environment.
- Storage facilities for personal belongings, PPE, bin store and equipment.
- An office design that would create a professional, welcoming and contemporary workplace.
The original second-floor office consisted of two separate workspaces divided by a central wall. Both spaces featured their own tea points with associated plumbing and electrical services.
The first phase of the fit-out involved removing the dividing wall and reinstating the suspended ceiling to create a single, open-plan environment.
The reconfigured layout included:
- Open-plan workspace accommodating approximately 54 desks
- Boardroom
- Meeting room
- Quiet room for focused work
- Reception area
- Waiting area
- Fully equipped kitchen with staff seating
- Communications room
- Bin store
JBH Refurbishments designed the layout to maximise space, encourage collaboration and support efficient workflows. The new spaces were divided using a combination of Crittall- glazed partitions and specialist full-height acoustic systems designed to minimise sound transfer through the suspended ceiling - an issue that is often overlooked in commercial office environments.
The completed layout provides a seamless flow throughout the office while creating dedicated spaces that support the needs of a growing workforce.
The revised office layout required a comprehensive electrical and data reconfiguration, alongside significant HVAC modifications.
During the pre-construction phase, it was identified that the office lacked a functioning extract system. While a fresh air supply was present, it was located above the suspended ceiling and therefore did not adequately circulate air within the occupied workspace below.
To address this, JBH Refurbishments modified the HVAC system to incorporate an efficient extract solution and installed ceiling vents to improve airflow, ensuring fresh air was distributed throughout the office.
New air conditioning units were also installed within the meeting rooms and enclosed office spaces to improve comfort and environmental control.
Tony Gee tasked JBH Refurbishments with creating an inviting and comfortable workplace that balanced focused working environments with collaborative spaces.
The main office area was designed as an open-plan workspace that would accommodate future growth. Leading from the central workspace are a series of private offices, meeting rooms and breakout areas.
A neutral colour palette introduces warmth throughout the office, while Scandinavian-inspired timber panelling and statement acoustic ceiling features add texture and visual interest. Accents of blue and pops of burnt orange within the furniture, pinboards and accessories subtly reference Tony Gee's brand colours without overwhelming the overall design.
Flooring selections were made to balance robust durability and aesthetics. Wood-effect commercial flooring was installed within high-traffic areas, including the kitchen and walkways, while grey carpet tiles define the open-plan workspace. Together, these finishes add texture and help create clear visual zoning throughout the office.
The kitchen serves as a central hub within the office, providing a flexible space for informal meetings, collaboration and staff wellbeing.
Designed to provide the comforts of home, the kitchen features pale blue handleless cabinetry, a solid white worktop, breakfast bar seating and feature pendant lighting. The space is fully equipped with two dishwashers, a Quooker boiling water tap, a tall refrigerator and a double sink.
Additional seating is provided through upholstered bench seating, café-style tables and chairs, creating a welcoming environment for both socialising with collagues and informal working.
This beautifully designed kitchen supports both collaboration and enhances the overall workplace experience.
The project progressed smoothly due to detailed planning and effective communication throughout the programme.
One important consideration was the building's occupancy. As the office is located on the second floor of a shared commercial building, works were undertaken between two fully operational businesses, including an opticians on the floor above. This meant that visitors, including visually impaired patients, were regularly accessing the building throughout the day.
To minimise disruption, the JBH Refurbishments team maintained strict site controls and ensured all works were carried out safely and courteously. As a result, the project was completed without issue and with minimal impact on neighbouring occupiers.
The completed office provides Tony Gee with a modern, professional and welcoming workplace that reflects the company's continued growth and future ambitions.
Delivered within the eight-week programme, the project successfully met the deadline associated with the expiry of Tony Gee's previous lease while providing employees with a flexible and highly functional working environment.
Following the successful delivery of both the Kent and St Albans office projects, JBH Refurbishments looks forward to future opportunities to support Tony Gee's property portfolio.
In the words of Tony Gee
“Working with JBH has been great. Callum has always been available on the phone whenever needed. During the tender process, we chose JBH because we trusted them to deliver the fit-out within our tight programme and to a high standard.
We have been really impressed with the quality of the work. Their attention to detail is a real step change from what we had in our previous office space.”
