Expanding law firm gets the Spaceway treatment

Spaceway project managing the refit of the new offices to provide Wilsons with additional office space as well as a colourful cafe bar, breakout area with plasma screens and client meeting rooms.

The Commercial and Employment Departments of fast expanding law firm, Wilsons, are now enjoying the benefits of a stylish, airy, new environment following a fit-out of their new offices in Chipper Lane, Salisbury.

With ambitious expansion plans in place, Wilsons, one of the largest private client firms outside London, needed to create more office space to accommodate partners, fee earners, juniors and administrative staff in its Commercial and Family Law departments.

Purchasing an existing building close to its other offices that needed considerable modification to bring it up to the required standard, Wilsons turned to Spaceway to turn the building into stylish and functional offices.

Wilsons had already worked with Spaceway on much smaller projects at their offices, and called Spaceway in at an early stage to start work on the designs of this large and complex project.

Spaceway was given the task of project managing the refit of the offices.

This required the company to co-ordinate all aspects of the project reflecting in particular on health and safety.

This required Spaceway to Risk Assessments and organise all work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and undertake.

Armed with its brief to "turn the new building from an outdated office environment into a new bright, functional and inspiring working environment equipped with a modern and exciting cafe area for staff to relax without having to get out of the office".

Spaceway designs would turn the drab, old fashioned interior into a state-of-the-art solicitors' offices which would not only create a vibrant and exciting place for staff to work but also provide welcoming client formal and informal meeting areas.

Rob Thomas, Operations Director at Wilsons, explained "Spaceway has worked very closely with us from an early stage and we developed plans and ideas together as a team".

"This left us valuable time to organise our logistics for the move into our new offices, safe in the knowledge that the fit out was in good hands".

Spaceway developed their design proposals using the latest 3D and CAD walkthroughs and comprehensive colour and mood boards.

This enabled Wilsons to fully understand Spaceway's concepts and visualise the finished project.

Once the entire scheme had been rubber-stamped by Wilsons, Spaceway set about the task of planning and co-ordinating their site activities in conjunction with Wilsons' other specialist contractors.

"Our staff are thrilled with their new environment," continued Rob Thomas, "It has provided us with much needed additional space, improved staff morale and enhanced communications".

To kick off the project Spaceway began by removing existing partitioning, ceilings and wall covering from the building to provide itself with a clean canvass so that work could begin.

Once this work was completed, Spaceway set about installing new partitioning, suspended ceilings and new wall and floor coverings.

The first floor offices were fitted out with a combination of 'Kameo' double glazed office partitions, and the latest space saving, glass sliding doors.

Floors were covered in 'Milliken' cushion-backed floor carpet tiles with a distinctive contrasting circular panel in the meeting rooms and maple wood laminate floors in the client reception area.

Decoration, electrics, lighting air conditioning, ventilation and other specialist contractor works were all carried out to the highest standard under the supervision of Spaceway's on-site project team.

To complete the project Spaceway installed full height storage wall cabinets and matching executive desking, storage, seating and screens.

The storage of files was given particular consideration and instead of normal filing cabinets, Spaceway installed storage walls that maximised the storage capability yet blended inconspicuously into the decor.

Making the right choice of office furniture, and ensuring that it was appropriate for their space and work process were also critical factors in ensuring that Wilson's employees could work effectively.

When creating the design for the cafe bar and breakout area, Spaceway selected a range of practical yet colourful chairs, stools, glass tables and comfy sofas.

Curved ceilings were introduced to enhance the stylish feel to the space.

"This project was an exciting challenge from start to finish" explained Dominic O'Brien, Director of Spaceway.

"Our interior designer created three vibrant colour schemes for the client to choose from".

"Wilsons liked them so much they ended up using two of them".

"Although we met with some challenging situations along the way, Wilsons have ended up with a stunning fit out".

Wilsons is one of the leading private client law firms in the UK and has been based in Salisbury since 1735.

Wilsons represents clients with complex personal and commercial legal needs, a significant number of whom are listed in the Times Top 200 Rich List.

Wilsons is a key employer in Salisbury with over 160 employees.

Established in 1976, Spaceway is recognised as one of the UK's leading providers of integrated interior space solutions for private sector businesses and public organisations.

Located in Hampshire but serving customers across the South and Midlands, the company provides an integrated approach to space solutions that includes mezzanine floors, partitioning, suspended ceilings, storage systems, special structures as well as furniture and small parts storage.

Back to top