RUSHMOOR BOROUGH COUNCIL Reception Area, Civic Offices Rushmoor Borough Council invited The Design Partnership to put forward proposals, as part of a limited design competition, to refurbish the 1970's reception area at their Civic Offices. Our scheme caught the councils imagination and in May 1996 the new reception area was officially opened by the Mayor of Rushmoor, Councillor Pat Devereux. The refurbishment included a purpose-made curved reception desk in beech, mirrored by a cantilever canopy ceiling over. The combined effect creates a friendly and intimate environment inviting all visitors to report to a central control point. The use of soft furnishings and carpeted areas has transformed the previous cold and sterile environment and since its completion the Council has requested The Design Partnership to undertake further refurbishment work to the Mayors Parlour and the Housing Department's reception area.

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	The Design Partnership has developed a long relationship with Hogg Robinson PLC, since undertaking a variety of small maintenance works some ten years ago. The relationship has expanded and at present the company has ongoing projects with all the regional facility managers, taking our expertise to all areas of the United Kingdom. The Design Partnership has completed works for all subsidiary companies including Entegria, BTI UK and Global Event Solutions. These works range from space planning to complete refurbishment including specialized designs for reception areas and communication rooms. Advice to Hogg Robinson has included confidential space planning and interior design, where restructuring of the business calls for feasibility studies into what facilities would best suit the new departments. Often we have found that the relocation of people and/or equipment has freed areas thereby allowing additional departments to be located within the same building. At the end of lease terms for rented buildings, Hogg Robinson often request that the Design Partnership undertake a Schedule of Dilapidations. Any works can then be either undertaken or the costs for the works set aside in negotiations with the Landlord.
Above : Board Room, Hogg Robinson
Above : Directors Suite, Hogg Robinson

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	The Design Partnership has been requested to look at the refurbishment to the reception area for Paymaster in Crawley. Part of the problem with the original reception was that it was indistinguishable from the remainder of the building's façade. Our solution was to accentuate the entrance with a tensioned fabric canopy structure partially covering a new fully glazed entrance lobby.

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Perkin Elmer are at the leading edge of analytical equipment technology. They were concerned that the reception area did not portray this confidence in the marketplace and that prospective clients may be left unimpressed by their premises. The Design Partnership was requested to redesign the reception area and provide a new reception desk.

The reception area was effectively doubled in size by the removal of an old post room, this allowed for a feature reception to be installed, giving workstations for two receptionists and a telephonist. The desk was purpose designed by The Design Partnership and hand-made to our specification in cherry wood with linoleum inserts and stainless steel detailing. The effect has transformed the first impression given to all their clients.

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	Flexjet Europe, part of the Bombardier Group of Companies, had a requirement to locate their European Headquarters in easy reach of London Heathrow airport. The Design Partnership was asked to assist in this process. Three sites ranging from historic building conversions through to state-of-the-art modern designs were found to be acceptable. Each site was taken in turn, given a full measured survey and by using our in-house CAD designers we were able to provide space planning expertise based upon Flexjet's own design requirements. Advice was also given regarding the buildings strength's and weaknesses. Following high level discussions one building was chosen. The Design Partnership then undertook a full scheme design and sought both client and landlord approval for the alterations. The final design comprised fully glazed offices facing a central administration area with cherry veneered doors. The Design Partnership also supplied Flexjet Europe with cherry veneered furniture and operators chairs, including a 12-person conference table, 18 extended work stations and various storage systems. "The Design Partnership made the transition into our new London premises look and feel like a simple process. A consistent level of professionalism and dedication has resulted in a set-up that was delivered as promised, on time and within budget. The Design Partnership's performance was nothing less than outstanding." Stephane Hebert, Director, Contracts and Administration Flexjet Europe

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The Design Partnership was commissioned to undertake an interior design for the new Headquarters of Template Software. The building, located within Windsor was in a poor state of repair and required a full refurbishment of all three floors. Works undertaken by the Design Partnership included power and data installations, air conditioning to all areas, installation of a staff canteen area and the construction of all internal dividing walls. The system chosen comprised a full height double-glazed partitioning system with full height glass doors, set within solid smooth plastered, and white painted, dividing partition walls. When combined with the specified stripped wooden floors throughout, feature timber access doors, a comprehensive mood lighting installation and modern contemporary furniture the resulting effect is very bold and fresh - a suitable aesthetic for this blue chip software development company.

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	The Design Partnership were asked to design a dedicated directors suite for the Exchange. The scheme had to provide meeting rooms and a conference facility where corporate entertainment could be undertaken. During the design briefing the CEO, Paul Lindsay, requested that the scheme should evoke his favoured Japanese aesthetic. The resulting timber flooring, sliding screens and individually specified furniture has met his demand. "Your designs were excellent and we really appreciate your efforts in working to such tight timescales." Paul Lindsay, CEO The eXchange "Thankyou! Although everything seemed to be against the move, broken down lorries, road closures and police escorts to name a few, the initial deadline was achieved with great success!" Theresa Marshall, Administration Manager The eXchange

 

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