Verulam Point
All Case StudiesCreating a prestigious office space
This exciting project involved a CAT A refurbishment of offices at Verulam Point, St Albans. Form was appointed by global real estate investment management company, Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust, working alongside CS2 Chartered Surveyors, to deliver the refurbishment at this prime commercial location.
The offices had been vacated by the previous tenants and needed a complete makeover. The brief was clear; to create a desirable office space that would appeal to a variety of potential tenants.
Following a competitive tender, we worked in collaboration with building consultants CS2 Chartered Surveyors to add value to the client’s investment. The aim was to create a prestigious and sustainable open-plan offices with a contemporary feel. They needed to attract businesses searching for a high-specification, flexible space within 20 minutes of Central London.
Sustainability played a crucial role throughout the project. A standout objective was ensuring that the fit out aligned with our client’s Net Carbon Zero strategy. To reduce the project’s carbon impact and provide social value, we collaborated with Collecteco to donate and reuse the previous tenant’s furniture and fit out. This resulted in nearly 50,000kg of CO2e avoided, with 7,440kg diverted from landfill and £21,180 value donated to community projects.
The whole project team were brilliant to work with from start to finish. The communication was excellent, and a solution driven approach seemed to be at the forefront of everything. The quality of workmanship was of a very high standard and I think the finished product speaks for itself.
Oliver Ferris Associate Director, CS2 Chartered Surveyors
A complete contemporary makeover
We started by stripping the offices back to their core and optimising the available space to achieve its full potential.
Next, we stripped out all the existing M&E services and then designed and installed brand new energy-efficient systems. The installations included new VRV air-conditioning, ventilation and BMS system to facilitate independent temperature control and add to the well-being of future occupants.
We completely rewired the offices and installed new LED lighting, PIR movement sensors, access control systems and fire protection. The conveniently raised access flooring with an underfloor electrack system is designed to allow tenants to set up their infrastructure with ease.
Externally, we installed new waterproofing systems and basalt paving to the full extent of the 4th-floor terrace areas, carried out brickwork cleaning and redecorated the curtain walling.
By stripping back the original design and exposing the ceilings, we optimised the headroom and natural light in the office. To create a timeless industrial feel, we left all the services exposed at a high level, along with a modern ceiling raft system and suspended linear lighting. We then redecorated the space and installed new joinery and carpets to complete the contemporary look.
The offices are flooded with natural light. The U-shaped office is built around a central atrium, creating a bright, well-lit floor space that helps to boost well-being and productivity levels. The column-free design of the floor plates is perfectly tailored to be easily updated by tenants.
Our collaborative approach
To deliver on our commitment to quality, we coordinated the construction works using the project management software Procore. Form worked in close collaboration with the client team and our sub-contractors to deliver this CAT A office refurbishment smoothly and efficiently.
Oliver Ferris, Associate Director at CS2 Chartered Surveyor said: ”The whole project team were brilliant to work with from start to finish. The communication with all key stakeholders was excellent throughout. Information was presented in a clear and concise manner, and a solution driven approach seemed to be at the forefront of everything. Form’s ability to collaborate and work with the design team, clients and agents certainly had a very positive impact on the project.
The quality of workmanship was of a very high standard and I think the finished product speaks for itself. It was clear that the site team and project manager had a strong attention to detail which meant that the snagging process throughout the project was well managed and kept to a minimum. The financial reporting and management were also of a high standard, and valuable to the client.
I would most definitely recommend using Form and look forward to working with the team again soon.”
