In a slightly different role for Bower Fuller, we were employed by children’s charity CAFCASS as principal contractor on the refurbishment of their offices to the ground and first floor at 70 Grays Inn Road, London.

Initially employed as a traditional mechanical and electrical sub-contractor for the scheme, Bower Fuller took over the principal contractor duties following the collapse of the previous main contractor. By utilising both the incumbent specialists and our own supply chain, we were able to efficiently re-mobilise the partially progressed project for the client and minimise the delay to handover.

The scope included providing CAFCASS with private meeting rooms and offices to the ground floor, along with open plan office spaces to the 1^st floor, extensive meeting facilities, kitchen and tea point areas.

In our expanded role, we managed and coordinated various packages including carpentry, flooring, dry lining and decoration alongside bespoke items such as sliding walls, window dressings, kitchen fit out and fitted furniture.

The mechanical elements comprised alterations to the existing base build fan coil unit layouts, modifications and new secondary ductwork, services to the kitchens, disabled WC and tea points.

The electrical works entailed substantial changes to the existing base build. New LED lighting features throughout, and small power arrangements incorporate an underfloor busbar, floor boxes and floor grommets. In addition, we undertook changes to the fire alarm system and upgrades to data, security, panic alarms and CCTV systems.

The refurbishment was carried out in an existing office building, with the floors below and above remaining in full occupation. Careful planning and regular communication helped everything to happen smoothly.  Within the basement a new electrical infrastructure now provides secondary back up supplies. As we had to connect to the existing LV panel, we arranged and managed a complete shutdown for a short period to ensure a safe installation.