Workplaces
That Perform

Category A (Cat A) is the base fit-out that brings a shell and core floor to a marketable standard — raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic M&E distribution, fire protection, and neutral finishes. It creates a blank canvas. Category B (Cat B) is the tenant's own fit-out installed on top of Cat A — the workspace design including partitioning, meeting rooms, reception, kitchen, technology, and brand identity. Cat A is typically the landlord's responsibility; Cat B is the tenant's.

Occupied building construction requires robust management of noise, dust, fire safety, and building services. We develop occupied building management plans covering restricted working hours, acoustic hoarding, dust containment with negative air pressure, maintained fire compartmentation and escape routes, phased building services shutdowns (out of hours only), and coordinated goods lift access. Tenant communication is managed proactively throughout.

The British Council for Offices (BCO) Guide to Specification is the industry benchmark for commercial office quality. It defines standards for floor-to-ceiling heights, floor loading, power provision, cooling capacity, lighting levels, toilet provision, and common area design. We reference BCO standards throughout design review and construction to ensure commercial offices meet market expectations and lettability requirements.

Yes. We manage the dilapidations process from both landlord and tenant perspectives — initial condition survey, schedule of dilapidations review, cost assessment, negotiation support, and reinstatement works management. For tenants, early dilapidations assessment can reduce exit costs significantly. For landlords, robust documentation protects reinstatement claims. We follow the RICS Dilapidations Protocol throughout.

Office fit-out carries specific CDM risks including asbestos in existing ceiling voids and floor voids, working at height on raised access floors and from scaffolding in atria, manual handling of heavy materials through goods lifts and corridors, construction in occupied buildings with fire strategy and welfare implications, and M&E works involving live services. Our Principal Designers address all of these in pre-construction information.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) currently require a minimum EPC rating of E for commercial lettings, with proposals to increase this to C by 2027 and B by 2030. Non-compliant buildings cannot be legally let. We manage EPC improvement programmes including fabric upgrades (insulation, glazing), M&E system improvements (LED lighting, HVAC optimisation), and renewable energy installations to achieve target ratings.

Yes. We specialise in phased programme delivery across multiple floors or buildings — managing construction sequences that minimise disruption, maintain building services to occupied areas, coordinate tenant relocations and decants, and deliver each phase to a self-contained completion. Our programme management ensures each phase is independently functional while maintaining continuity across the wider programme.

We coordinate BREEAM assessments for office refurbishment and fit-out projects. Most institutional clients target BREEAM Excellent as a minimum for new fit-outs, with some targeting Outstanding. We manage the BREEAM process from design through to post-construction, ensuring evidence is captured during construction for the assessor. Key credits typically include energy performance, indoor air quality, responsible sourcing, and waste management.

Asbestos is common in commercial buildings constructed before 2000 — particularly in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, pipe lagging, fire stopping, and textured coatings. We ensure management surveys are updated and refurbishment and demolition surveys are completed before any construction work in affected areas. Where removal is required, we manage licensed contractor procurement, enclosure construction, air monitoring, and four-stage clearance.

We bridge the gap between workplace strategy and construction delivery. Once workplace consultants have defined the brief — working styles, space ratios, technology requirements, and brand expression — we manage the translation of that brief into delivered workspace through design coordination, contractor procurement, construction management, and occupation planning including furniture installation and technology commissioning.