The Brief
Sanderson recruitment had a need to refurbish their 20,000sqft headquarters to meet the new demands of the workforce and encourage people to return to the office following the working from home experienced during the pandemic. Spread over two floors in the historic and fashionable Whiteladies Road in Bristol, it was important for them to create a space for staff and clients to both work and relax, creating a fun and active working environment incorporating social spaces and quiet working areas. To that end, Sanderson recruited Aether Consulting to conduct a Design & Build tender process to provide three proposals from which to choose. Aether approached the commercial property market for recommendations and our long standing client and collaborator recommended EFB after successfully working with us previously.
The Visualisation
We worked alongside Sanderson and their consultants to put together a range of design options. Once we were set on a general layout plan we set to interior design and specification. The works included full refurbishment of facilities throughout the building, reception lobby, general office area, meeting suite, social spaces and breakout areas as well as informal meeting areas and private working pods. The client had a clear vision direction for the aesthetics so we developed this vision into a comprehensive 3D walk through model to provide the inspiration for the potential outcome of the space, as well advising on technical details and a full M&E design and specification.
The Realisation
EFB were successfully awarded this prestigious project after a thorough consultation between Sanderson, their staff and Aether Consultants based on the strength of our design and specification proposal alone. All three companies who tendered were within budget so it literally came down to the talent of our design team.
During the works our project management team uncovered some pre-existing structural issues within the building so we worked on behalf of the landlord to resolve this promptly and managed to keep the works within the given timescales and on the budget set. The finished space is a masterpiece of modern office design incorporating flexible working areas, touch down spaces, up to the minute acoustic solutions and the final refurbishment works to create a vibrant and busy office space and certainly achieved its goal to bring the workforce back to the office with eagerness.