Tanfield

Following the departure of a sizeable tenant, Form were appointed to develop proposals for the top floor, prime office suite.

The brief from Greenridge, and property agents JLL and Ryden, was to develop a CAT A fit-out solution which would appeal to forward-thinking, modern occupiers.

Form DC were also asked to provide space plans and computer-generated images to support marketing initiatives, aimed at capturing the imaginations of prospective tenants.

In order to create a relevant office space for post-pandemic business, Form used analysis of their home-working surveys, and industry-leading expertise, to inform the design, which incorporated flexibility and hybrid working support.

Collaboration and socialisation space was as important as areas to undertake quiet, focused work. For this CAT A fit-out, Form developed a solution that promoted health and wellbeing, but also focused on sustainability and how best to limit impact on the environment.

Floor pans were cleaned, replacing those that were damaged, rather than carpeting the raised access floor. The majority of the ceiling grid was retained, only replacing tiles beyond repair, and energy-efficient LED lighting was installed.

The office has a generous private outdoor terrace and Form made improvements to promote its use and benefit its occupants. External lighting was enhanced to encourage use in the darker months, and the adjacent storerooms were converted into shower and changing rooms, supporting outdoor exercise.

Plans were drawn up for tech enabled outdoor pods, allowing people to work, dine and socialise in naturally ventilated and lit spaces.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, are working in cooperation with JLL (Tanfield’s managing agents), and Butterfly Conservation, to carry out biodiversity actions and ecological research on the rooftop, with sustainability being a key priority for the owners, management and community of Tanfield.

Having already designed the on-site MILK café, Form DC is now working with Greenridge on improvement works to the common parts.